Venezuela Earthquakes Kill 32, Injure Hundreds As Rescue Efforts Continue

Two powerful earthquakes struck western Venezuela near the capital Caracas on Wednesday evening, killing at least 32 people and injuring around 700 others, after strong tremors damaged buildings, cut power supplies, and forced emergency teams to begin major rescue operations.

The earthquakes, measured at magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5, hit within about 40 seconds of each other. Officials said the impact was severe because many people were at home during a national holiday, increasing fears that more people could still be trapped under collapsed structures.

Acting President Delcy Rodriguez confirmed the latest death and injury figures, while warning that the numbers could rise as search and rescue work continues. Rescue workers are currently searching through debris in the Caracas area, where survivors are reportedly calling for help from under the rubble.

The disaster has also disrupted daily life in the capital. Several buildings in Caracas lost electricity, while metro services were completely suspended for safety reasons. The tremors were strong enough to be felt as far away as Bogota, Colombia.

The United States has said it is sending search and rescue teams, medical supplies, and humanitarian assistance to Venezuela. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed condolences to the victims and said American officials are coordinating with Venezuelan authorities to support relief efforts.