Khaberni - The interim Prime Minister of Venezuela, Delcy Rodriguez, reported that at least 164 people have been killed and hundreds injured due to a double earthquake that hit the country on Wednesday, the strongest in Venezuela since 1900, prompting the authorities to declare a state of emergency amid widespread destruction and scenes of panic in the capital, Caracas, and other areas.
Rodriguez said in a message to the nation early Thursday: "We have currently received reports of fatalities and hundreds of injuries," indicating the lack of complete data for the nearby state of La Guaira, which was the most affected.
She added that a state of emergency was imposed in the country, and the capital's airport was closed after it suffered severe damage.
The first earthquake occurred at 18:04 local time (22:04 GMT) with a magnitude of 7.2 and a depth of 21.9 kilometers, about 200 kilometers from Caracas, followed 39 seconds later by a second earthquake with a magnitude of 7.5 at a depth of 10 kilometers, followed by about twenty aftershocks.
The US Geological Survey stated that what occurred is considered a "double earthquake," warning that the consequences could be severe, with estimates of an increase in the death toll and extent of the damage.
She added that this earthquake is the strongest to hit Venezuela in over a century, specifically since the 1900 earthquake which had a magnitude of 7.7 and caused significant damage.
In the capital, Caracas, journalists documented rescue operations from beneath the rubble of collapsed buildings, where survivors were pulled from the debris, while a 22-story building completely collapsed in the Altamira neighborhood, amid calls for help from residents and volunteers who participated in the search operations.
International aid and humanitarian mobilization
U.S. President Donald Trump announced his country's readiness to provide assistance, affirming that he directed his government's agencies to prepare for a swift response to support Venezuela.
The U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also announced the immediate dispatch of rescue teams and medical and humanitarian aid, including search and rescue teams and medical supplies.
The Venezuelan presidency announced interaction between the two parties, during which Delcy Rodriguez praised the "spirit of solidarity during this ordeal."
The European Union, India, and China expressed their readiness to provide support, while Latin American countries declared their solidarity, and Germany was ready to send military planes to participate in the relief operations.
Widespread destruction and service disruptions
In the state of La Guaira, dozens of buildings collapsed or were severely damaged, while rescue teams continued searching for survivors amid power outages and significant field difficulties.
One woman who lost her daughter in the collapse of a 12-story building said: "There are people under the rubble and nobody is reaching them to provide aid."
In Caracas, residents rushed to the streets fearing aftershocks, while many preferred to stay outside their homes until the evening hours.
Eyewitnesses described the scene as "horrifying," with building collapses, falling parts of ceilings, and widespread power cuts.
Airport closure and warnings
The authorities announced the closure of Maiketia International Airport due to severe damage to its infrastructure, while circulated images showed partial collapses in some of its facilities.
Inhabitants of remote areas even as far as the Colombian capital of Bogota felt the quake, despite being about a thousand kilometers away, while Colombian authorities confirmed there was no risk of a tsunami on their coasts.
The UN Human Rights mission in Venezuela called for ensuring unrestricted access to media and communication tools, demanding that the humanitarian response adhere to human rights principles.
