Venezuela Hit by 7.2 and 7.5 Magnitude Earthquakes Buildings Collapse in Caracas, Thousands Feared Dead

Two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela on Wednesday in rapid succession a magnitude 7.2 followed less than a minute later by a 7.5 sending buildings crashing down across Caracas and surrounding areas.

Venezuela’s interim President Delcy Rodriguez confirmed at least 32 people have been killed and 700 injured, stressing those numbers do not yet include casualties from La Guaira state near Caracas, described as the worst affected area. Rescue crews are working through the night and teams from other countries are already arriving.

“Dozens of buildings have collapsed and we are currently carrying out very intense rescue efforts,” Rodriguez said in a televised address.

Death Toll Could Reach the Thousands

The USGS PAGER system which uses seismic data and population exposure models to estimate casualties puts the likely death toll in the thousands. Updated modelling now shows a 39% chance of between 1,000 and 10,000 deaths, and a 37% chance of between 10,000 and 100,000. Earlier projections had placed a 30% chance of deaths exceeding 100,000. The agency also estimates economic losses equivalent to 1% to 4% of Venezuela’s GDP.

US President Donald Trump said the earthquakes have “left a devastating number of deaths” and the US has already mobilised a disaster assistance team, search and rescue crews, medical supplies and humanitarian resources.

Oil Infrastructure Appears Unaffected for Now

Venezuela’s oil facilities did not appear to sustain immediate damage. Authorities in Maracaibo, near the large oil hub of Lake Maracaibo, reported no injuries. However, officials warned that extended power outages could hit crude output until electricity is restored. UK firm Shell confirmed all its employees in Venezuela are accounted for with no injuries.

Venezuela sits on the world’s largest estimated oil reserves but produces a fraction of its potential capacity due to decades of mismanagement and sanctions.

A tsunami warning was issued shortly after the quakes but was quickly cancelled once the threat passed.