Venezuela's doublet earthquake kills at least 164 people, injures hundreds

CARACAS: Thousands of Venezuelans were feared dead on Thursday after two powerful earthquakes wreaked havoc in and around the capital Caracas, trapping people beneath the rubble of collapsed buildings and setting off powerful aftershocks.

A magnitude ​7.2 earthquake hit about 160km (100 miles) west of Caracas on Wednesday afternoon, followed less than a minute later by a magnitude 7.5 tremor, according to the US Geological Survey.

Emergency workers scrambled over the debris ‌of collapsed buildings in Caracas as night fell, while distraught relatives sought help for loved ones feared trapped. Dazed survivors were taken away, some on stretchers.

"When we went downstairs, the scene was like a horror movie," said Maria Alejandra, a resident from a nearby building, who did not give her surname.

"We had to climb over the rubble and everything. The building superintendent with the baby and all the neighbours coming down. But from that building, I only saw that one family got out."

Interim President Delcy Rodriguez said at least 164 people were confirmed dead. The initial toll did not include those from the ​worst-affected La Guaira state, near Caracas and home to the city's airport, where witnesses' footage showed scenes of panic as ceilings came down.

"Dozens of buildings have collapsed, and we are currently carrying out very intense rescue efforts to save ​as many lives as God allows us to save," she said on state television just before 1am local time (0500 GMT) on Thursday.

"La Guaira state is a true tragedy, and has become ⁠a disaster zone."

The US Geological Survey (USGS), using predictive modelling to estimate the death toll, said it would most likely run into the thousands, with a substantial probability of exceeding 10,000.

A website set up to track missing people and posted on X by ​leaders from the country's opposition, many of whom are outside the country, listed more than 10,000 people as unaccounted for at 5.40 am local time (0940 GMT).

Many Venezuelans were at home when the quakes struck during a public holiday.

"There was a very loud crash. Things fell ​in the house, jugs inside the refrigerator. I've never experienced anything like it," said Coro Martinez, 56, who lives in eastern Caracas.

Last night's earthquake was the strongest to hit Venezuela since 1900, says USGS

Wednesday’s earthquake was the largest in Venezuela in more than a century, CNN reported in the backdrop of data provided by the USGS.

The country’s largest quake on record took place in 1900, when a magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck off Venezuela's northern coast, close to its capital Caracas. The epicentre of that quake was only a few hundred kilometres from the epicentre of Wednesday’s.

Wednesday’s second quake was the next largest, with a 7.5 magnitude. The foreshock – just 40 seconds before – with a 7.2 magnitude, is listed as the fourth biggest quake in the country, just behind a 2018 quake.

A general view of a collapsed building after earthquakes hit the country, in Caracas, Venezuela, June 25, 2026. Photo: REUTERS