Venezuela Earthquakes Kill 164 as Buildings Collapse in Caracas

Two powerful earthquakes—measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude—struck Venezuela within a minute of each other on Thursday, killing at least 164 people and injuring nearly 1,000. The shallow quakes caused widespread destruction across the country, with the capital Caracas bearing the brunt of the devastation.

Buildings Collapse Across Caracas

Entire apartment blocks were flattened in the Caracas metropolitan area. Rescue workers and residents could hear voices calling from beneath rubble as emergency teams worked to free survivors trapped under collapsed structures. Footage circulating on social media showed people fleeing as multi-storey buildings came down on the outskirts of the capital.

Shallow Quakes Amplify Damage

Seismologists noted that both earthquakes were shallow in depth, a factor that significantly amplifies destructive power at the surface. When two quakes of this magnitude strike in rapid succession, the cumulative effect on structures already weakened by the first shock can be catastrophic. Experts say the depth of the events exacerbated the already severe damage.

Country Already Under Strain

The twin earthquakes delivered what analysts described as a devastating blow to a country already in a state of deep uncertainty. Venezuela has been undergoing a turbulent political transition since former leader Nicolás Maduro was seized by US forces less than six months ago. Rescue and relief operations are being complicated by the ongoing instability in the country's governance and infrastructure.

Search and Rescue Underway

Emergency teams were deployed across the capital and surrounding areas, which sustained some of the worst damage. Officials warned that the death toll was likely to rise as search and rescue operations continued. International aid organisations have begun assessing how to provide support to the affected population.