The death toll from the disaster that caused major damage along the country’s Caribbean coast is approaching 600.
The death toll from two earthquakes in Venezuela has risen to 589, with thousands more injured, acting President Delcy Rodriguez has said. More than 50,000 people have been reported missing as international search, rescue, and relief efforts intensify.
Two major tremors measuring magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 by the US Geological Survey struck off Venezuela’s northern coast on Wednesday near the city of Moron and were felt across most of the country as well as in neighbouring Colombia and several Caribbean islands.
The disaster, unlike anything the country has experienced in over a century, caused significant devastation, with entire building blocks collapsing, according to harrowing aerial footage. The coastal city of La Guaira was among the hardest hit.
Caracas has announced a nationwide state of emergency, deploying the armed forces, civil defense units, and emergency services. Several nations, including Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Cuba, India, Mexico, El Salvador, Türkiye, and the US, have announced sending teams to support the efforts. Washington also said it would lift some unilateral sanctions it had imposed on Venezuela to facilitate the humanitarian efforts.
Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed condolences to Venezuela’s acting president, Delcy Rodríguez, and said Moscow stands in solidarity with the “friendly Venezuelan people.” The Kremlin said Russia is ready to provide assistance if requested.
China also extended condolences and said it is ready to assist, with Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun expressing confidence that the Venezuelan people will overcome the disaster and rebuild. Other countries and international organizations, including France, Germany, Türkiye, Iran, the Vatican, the UN and the World Bank, have also pledged assistance or expressed support for relief efforts.
The US also offered assistance despite a history of tensions. President Donald Trump previously boasted that America had “taken over” the country’s oil sector after the abduction of President Nicolas Maduro during a commando raid in January.
The Venezuelan quakes came just hours before a separate magnitude 7.2 earthquake hit Japan’s northern prefectures of Aomori and Iwate, injuring at least eight people, mainly due to falling objects, according to the country’s Fire and Disaster Management Agency.
The deadliest earthquake in Venezuela’s recent history struck in 1967, killing around 300 people and injuring some 1,600 in Caracas. Another earthquake in the country’s northeast in 1997 killed at least 81 people.
