CARACAS — Rescue teams intensified operations across northern Venezuela on Friday after two powerful earthquakes struck the country less than a minute apart, leaving at least 164 people dead and nearly 1,000 injured, according to Venezuelan authorities. Emergency crews continued searching for survivors trapped beneath collapsed buildings in Caracas, La Guaira and other affected areas as international assistance began arriving.
The earthquakes, measured at magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5 by the U.S. Geological Survey, struck Wednesday evening and were among the strongest recorded in Venezuela in more than a century, according to authorities and seismological data. Damage was concentrated in the coastal state of La Guaira, north of the capital, where residential buildings, roads and public infrastructure suffered extensive destruction.
Acting President Delcy Rodríguez said rescue workers were operating around the clock in heavily affected communities. “Dozens of buildings have collapsed and we are engaged in the arduous task of rescuing the lives that God allows us to save,” Rodríguez said in televised remarks cited by the Associated Press. She described La Guaira as a “disaster zone” and warned that casualty figures could rise as crews reached additional sites.
Authorities said at least 164 people had been confirmed dead and 971 injured by Thursday. Officials cautioned that the toll remained preliminary because emergency workers were still searching damaged structures and assessing remote areas. Reports from local authorities and media organizations indicated that many people remained unaccounted for, though exact figures were not independently verified.
The country’s main international airport sustained damage and was temporarily closed, while transportation services and power systems were disrupted in several regions. Hospitals treated large numbers of injured residents, and emergency shelters were established for displaced families, according to officials.
International support expanded on Thursday and Friday. The United States, several European countries and regional partners offered rescue, medical and humanitarian assistance. The European Union activated its Civil Protection Mechanism after a request from Caracas, while foreign rescue teams prepared to assist Venezuelan authorities in search-and-recovery efforts.
Aftershocks continued to affect parts of northern Venezuela, prompting officials to warn residents to avoid damaged buildings. As of Friday, rescue operations remained underway, and authorities said assessments of structural damage and humanitarian needs were continuing. The full extent of the destruction remained unclear.
