Cucuta, Colombia – A desperate search is underway for people trapped under rubble after two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela on Wednesday, killing dozens and injuring hundreds.
At least 164 people have died, although the United States Geological Survey (USGS) predicts the death toll could rise significantly as rescue teams continue to search collapsed buildings.
Venezuela’s acting president, Delcy Rodríguez, declared a state of emergency and appealed to the international community for support.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in an early morning post Thursday that the United States was “immediately deploying search and rescue teams, medical resources and humanitarian assistance to Venezuela.”
Other countries including Spain, Ecuador, France, Panama and Qatar have also offered support.
Videos circulating on social media show people crying for help, including collapsed buildings, shocked residents, and injured people.
“You could see the building shaking and moving. It was like the walls were exploding and you could see inside the apartments,” said Caracas resident Tullio Perez. “It’s completely crazy.”
Others in the building initially struggled to figure out what was happening.
“The tank started shaking violently and one of the lamps started shaking extremely hard. Everything started moving,” said Caracas resident Billy Erbin.
He spent the night in his car after authorities warned residents not to enter the building.
The first earthquake measured magnitude 7.2 and occurred near San Felipe in Yaracuy state. A stronger quake, measuring 7.5 magnitude, occurred 39 seconds after the quake, according to the USGS.
It was the strongest earthquake to hit Venezuela since 1900 and was followed by about 30 aftershocks.
The worst damage was reported in the Caracas and La Guaira regions, with apartments, houses and commercial buildings collapsing. Rescue workers, soldiers and volunteers searched for survivors throughout the night, while relatives gathered nearby waiting for news of their loved ones.
Many residents spent the night on the streets, in parks and in their cars after being warned not to return to damaged buildings. Some people were too scared to return indoors because of the risk of aftershocks.
Officials said people were believed to still be trapped under several collapsed structures, raising concerns the death toll could continue to rise.
Power and phone service were cut in many areas, making it difficult for people to contact relatives and friends. As communications gradually re-established, a desperate effort began to share information and photos of those still missing.
Images of missing loved ones were circulated across WhatsApp and social media, along with appeals for information from families who had not been heard from since the earthquake.
Some internet providers have also lifted the block on social media website X, which was banned in the country following the 2024 protests.
Schools are closed and used as makeshift rescue centers, and authorities are assessing damage to roads, public buildings and other infrastructure.
Featured image caption: Buildings in Caracas damaged by the earthquake.
Featured image credit: Julio Blanca.
