Rescue teams intensified operations across Venezuela on Thursday after two powerful earthquakes struck the country on Wednesday evening, killing at least 164 people, injuring nearly 1,000 and trapping an unknown number beneath collapsed buildings.The 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude quakes were recorded among the strongest to hit Venezuela in more than a century, causing widespread destruction in coastal and urban areas. The destruction also damaged the country’s main airport and triggered a large-scale national and international emergency response.Authorities shifted rescue personnel from across the country to the hardest-hit regions, particularly La Guaira state on Venezuela’s northern coast, where numerous buildings collapsed.Acting President Delcy Rodríguez announced a state of emergency and described La Guaira as a “disaster zone”. She said officials were using daylight hours to accelerate efforts to reach people believed to be trapped under debris.“Dozens of buildings have collapsed there … and we are currently carrying out intensive rescue operations to save lives,” Rodríguez said.Rodríguez also appealed to private companies to provide heavy construction equipment and said United Nations-certified search-and-rescue teams were on their way to assist operations.
State of emergency declared
The Venezuelan government declared a state of emergency late Wednesday and announced a USD 200 million reconstruction fund to repair damaged homes, hospitals and other infrastructure.Rodríguez said the economy and finance ministries had been tasked with overseeing reconstruction efforts as authorities assessed the scale of the destruction.Parts of Caracas lost electricity and mobile phone connectivity following the earthquakes. Subway services were suspended, natural gas supplies were shut off, and classes were cancelled for several days. Some school buildings will be used as temporary shelters and donation centres.Simón Bolívar International Airport, the country’s main aviation hub, was damaged and closed after the quakes.
International assistance begins arriving
Governments around the world offered assistance as the scale of the disaster became clearer.US secretary of state Marco Rubio said Washington was deploying emergency aid and specialist teams to support Venezuela.“We will have a whole government response,” Rubio said in Bahrain. “It will be big. It will be fast. It will be effective.”Rubio added that one of the runways at Caracas’ international airport had cracked during the earthquake, complicating relief flights.Rodríguez thanked US President Donald Trump for the assistance and later said she had spoken with Rubio by telephone. She also acknowledged messages of support and offers of help from numerous world leaders.Ecuador ordered humanitarian aid deliveries, while Qatar, Mexico and El Salvador dispatched rescue personnel.
Families search for missing relatives
As rescue operations continued, many families in Venezuela and abroad struggled to contact relatives because of the damaged communications infrastructure.Missing-person notices began appearing online and in public spaces, with relatives circulating photographs and handwritten lists of those still unaccounted for.The United Nations human rights mission in Venezuela urged the government to ease restrictions on social media, saying access to reliable information would be vital in the aftermath of the disaster.“In the coming hours and days, timely access to reliable information and communication channels will be essential for the protection of the lives, safety, and well-being of the population,” the mission said.The appeal referenced restrictions imposed on X in 2024 after disputed presidential elections.
