The death toll from the powerful earthquakes that struck Venezuela’s northern Caribbean coast has risen to 188, as emergency crews continue searching through collapsed buildings for survivors. Authorities said hundreds of people remain unaccounted for, while rescue operations are continuing around the clock in the country’s hardest-hit areas.
National Assembly President Jorge RodrÃguez said at least 1,520 people have been hospitalized with injuries since the disaster unfolded. Another 157 people are still listed as missing, while more than 200 others are believed to be trapped beneath collapsed structures. Search teams have been working with heavy equipment and specialized rescue units in an effort to reach those still buried under the rubble.
The disaster has been followed by an intense series of aftershocks, further complicating rescue efforts. Officials reported that 138 aftershocks have been recorded since the two powerful earthquakes measuring magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 struck within less than a minute of each other. Authorities warned that continued seismic activity poses additional risks for both survivors and emergency responders.
Government assessments show widespread destruction across La Guaira state, one of the regions closest to the epicenter. At least 346 buildings and public facilities have suffered damage, including around 250 residential and commercial buildings as well as 20 shopping centers. Eight hospitals were also affected, forcing officials to relocate patients to other medical facilities.
The Venezuelan government has announced an emergency reconstruction fund worth US$200 million to support immediate recovery efforts. The funding will be used to rebuild damaged homes, hospitals, and critical infrastructure while providing assistance to communities devastated by the disaster. Officials described the initiative as the first phase of a much larger rebuilding program.
Acting President Delcy RodrÃguez has declared a nationwide state of emergency in response to the crisis. Rescue teams from across Venezuela have been deployed to La Guaira, a coastal region that has a long history of natural disasters. In 1999, the area was struck by catastrophic landslides that killed thousands of people, making it one of the deadliest disasters in the country’s history.
President Jorge RodrÃguez has appealed to private companies to provide heavy machinery to accelerate rescue operations. He said excavators, cranes, and other specialized equipment are urgently needed as crews race against time to reach those believed to be trapped. The United Nations has also confirmed that international search-and-rescue teams are expected to arrive to assist local authorities.
Officials have now described La Guaira as a disaster zone, with emergency services struggling to restore basic infrastructure and access to affected communities. Roads, public buildings, and healthcare facilities have all suffered significant damage, while many neighborhoods remain without essential services. Authorities continue to assess the full extent of the destruction.
Although Venezuela lies near several active fault systems, earthquakes of this magnitude are relatively uncommon compared with other parts of Latin America. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the first magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck west of Morón at a depth of 22 kilometers. Less than one minute later, a magnitude 7.5 earthquake hit approximately 16 kilometers southwest of the same area at a shallower depth of 10 kilometers.
Brazilian geophysicist Marcos Ferreira said the combination of two major earthquakes occurring almost simultaneously dramatically increased the destructive force of the disaster. He explained that the shallow depth of both quakes amplified ground shaking, making structural collapse far more likely across affected communities. Ferreira compared the phenomenon to two voices shouting at the same time, producing a stronger and more powerful effect.
