CATIA LA MAR, VENEZUELA (Agencies) — At least 164 people have been killed and nearly 1,000 injured after two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela on Wednesday evening, causing widespread destruction across the country and leaving thousands in urgent need of assistance.
The twin quakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude, hit areas west of the capital Caracas, with the northern coastal region of La Guaira suffering the worst damage. Authorities continue rescue operations as reports emerge of people trapped beneath collapsed buildings.
In the city of Catia La Mar, residents described scenes of devastation as dozens of apartment blocks and commercial structures were either severely damaged or completely destroyed.
“It was terrible. Everything collapsed,” resident Yilsmaris Blanco told AFP, adding that many families remained trapped beneath the rubble.
The government has not yet released an official figure for missing persons, while emergency crews continue searching through debris in affected neighbourhoods.
La Guaira, which faces the Caribbean Sea and is home to Venezuela’s main international airport, has been declared a disaster area. Officials said the current casualty figures do not yet include complete data from the region.
Residents spent the night outdoors amid fears of powerful aftershocks. Large parts of the area remained without electricity, while shortages of water and emergency supplies added to the humanitarian crisis.
Rescue workers called for additional specialised equipment and technical support from other parts of the country to help locate survivors trapped under collapsed structures.
Emergency responders, assisted by volunteers, worked throughout the night as desperate relatives searched for missing loved ones. Witnesses reported seeing rescue teams recover bodies from the rubble while others continued listening for signs of life beneath destroyed buildings.
Survivors recounted terrifying moments as buildings shook violently before collapsing. Many described running into the streets in darkness as emergency vehicles and rescue crews rushed to affected areas.
Authorities have urged residents to remain vigilant as aftershocks remain possible. Search-and-rescue operations are expected to continue in the coming days as officials assess the full scale of the disaster.
