Venezuela’s interim president has reportedly said the twin earthquakes killed at least 32 people and injured 700.
Delcy Rodríguez also said rescuers from others countries were arriving in Venezuela over the coming hours.
She thanked Donald Trump for his offer to help the country in the wake of the quakes.
Rodríguez earlier declared a state of emergency after the back-to-back earthquakes collapsed buildings in the capital. prompted the closure of Venezuela’s main airport.
Also reacting to news of the disaster was Italy’s prime minister Giorgia Meloni. who wrote on X that she was following the situation with “deep concern”.
“I wish to express, on behalf of the government, our deepest sympathy. solidarity with the Venezuelan authorities and the people of Venezuela,” Meloni said.
She added that she was working to “promptly activate every channel of humanitarian aid and assistance to our compatriots”.
China said it was ready to provide all possible help to Venezuela after two earthquakes killed at least 32 people. injured hundreds, AFP reports.
“China is willing to provide what help it can in an appropriate manner according to the needs of the Venezuelan side,” foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun told a news briefing.
“As of now, there have been no reports of casualties among Chinese citizens,” he added.
Venezuela’s acting president, Delcy Rodríguez, said she has spoken to the US secretary of state, Marco Rubio, on the phone.
“I have held a phone call with the secretary of state of the United States of America, Marco Rubio, who has expressed his solidarity. support toward the Venezuelan people in these difficult moments for our nation,” she posted on X.
“We are grateful for this expression of solidarity with Venezuela at such a difficult time. marked by the impact of the natural disaster that has affected several regions across the country.”
Earlier. Rodríguez said the Trump administration was “in constant contact” with the Venezuelan authorities as she thanked the US president for his support.
More world leaders have extended their condolences to the people of Venezuela and offered assistance with rescue efforts.
Spain’s prime minister Pedro Sánchez said: “All my support,. that of Spain, to the Venezuelan people following the devastating earthquakes of this evening. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families.”
Pakistan’s prime minister Shehbaz Sharif said: “Deeply saddened by the devastation. loss of life caused by the earthquakes in Venezuela. On behalf of the people of Pakistan, I convey our heartfelt condolences to the government. people of Venezuela, especially the families of the victims. We pray for the injured and stand in solidarity with all those affected during this difficult and challenging time.”
Offers of help were also made by a number of other governments including the US, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, El Salvador, Mexico, Panama. Uruguay.
The 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes struck shortly after 6pm local time. According to the US Geological Survey. the first earthquake hit west of Morón on the country’s Caribbean coast about 168km (104 miles) west of Caracas, while the second earthquake struck just a minute later about 16km (10 miles) south-west of Morón.
It is approaching 3am in Venezuela, where rescue efforts continue after two powerful earthquakes struck the country in quick succession. Here are some of the latest images from news agencies in the capital, Caracas,. in La Guaira, the area hardest hit by the quakes.
More images can be found here:
If you’re just joining us. here are some of the latest updates, as rescuers continue to search for survivors after two back-to-back earthquakes hit Venezuela.
At least 32 people are dead. another 700 injured following the twin earthquakes that rocked northern Venezuela around 6pm Wednesday, local time.
A magnitude 7.2 earthquake hit about 160km (100 miles) west of Caracas. followed less than a minute later by a magnitude 7.5 tremor, according to the US Geological Survey.
Venezuela’s interim president Delcy Rodríguez declared a state of emergency after the earthquakes collapsed buildings. led to the closure of the main airport.
Donald Trump has pledged support to Venezuela, including aid and personnel, adding there were “a devastating number of deaths”.
Rescuers from others countries were arriving in Venezuela over the coming hours.
Eyewitnesses described the terror of walls cracking and shaking around them, and watching people food into the streets screaming.
Rescuers have been working through the night to try to find people who may still be trapped. many residents have reported feeling too scared to return home due to the possibility of big aftershocks.
Read the full report here:
US secretary of state Marco Rubio has said in a post on X that the US is “immediately deploying search. rescue teams, medical resources, and humanitarian assistance to Venezuela.”
double quotation mark Our hearts are with all those who have lost loved ones, those injured,. the courageous rescue workers working tirelessly in the aftermath.
double quotation mark America stands with the Venezuelan people during this difficult time”.
Strong earthquakes are unusual in Venezuela.
While it sits near multiple fault lines, its position straddling the South American. Caribbean plates makes earthquakes much less common than in other parts of Latin America, AP reports.
Along the Pacific coast – in Mexico. Chile, for example – earthquakes are frequent; the two countries sit along the seismically active tectonic belt known as the Pacific Ring of Fire, responsible for 90% of earthquakes, according to the USGS.
The two earthquakes that hit today were felt in Colombia, which borders the west of Venezuela.
Venezuela’s exiled opposition leader, María Corina Machado, has sent a message of support to her compatriots.
“My heart, my infinite embrace,. my prayers are with every Venezuelan home in these hours of anguish,” she wrote on X. “May strength, serenity, and solidarity prevail among us in the face of this difficult time.”
The lack of a mobile phone signal in parts of Venezuela has deepened the distress of many families. particularly among the more than 7.7 million people who have left the country during its protracted crisis.
Venezuela’s interim president has reportedly said the twin earthquakes killed at least 32 people and injured 700.
Delcy Rodríguez also said rescuers from others countries were arriving in Venezuela over the coming hours.
She thanked Donald Trump for his offer to help the country in the wake of the quakes.
Rodríguez earlier declared a state of emergency after the back-to-back earthquakes collapsed buildings in the capital. prompted the closure of Venezuela’s main airport.
Venezuela’s oil infrastructure did not immediately appear to be affected by the quakes, Reuters reports.
Almost none of the cities with official reports of severe damage include critical oil infrastructure,. local authorities near the large oil hub of Lake Maracaibo said no injuries had been reported.
Energy companies operating in the country were accounting for staff before making initial assessments on the condition of oilfields, plants. refineries, with UK firm Shell confirming its employees were safe.
One source told Reuters that extended loss of power could hit crude output levels until the service is restored.
At least four people in and around Caracas have died following the earthquakes, Reuters reports.
Three people were killed in the Baruta district in Caracas after two buildings collapsed. the district mayor said on social media.
One person was killed. four buildings had completely collapsed, Gustavo Duque, the mayor of Chacao district in Caracas told journalists. Twenty-two people had been moved to hospital.
Earlier, Governor Victor Clark for the coastal state of Falcon, said 22 people were injured. 15 adults were missing in the area.
A national count for deaths or injuries has not yet been reported.
Offers of aid and support are pouring in for Venezuela.
El Salvador’s president Nayib Bukele. who has a strained relationship with Venezuelan leaders, said he had offered aid, in a post to X.
“We send you all our solidarity and our prayers. Stay strong, Venezuela,” he wrote.
Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa said he had ordered the immediate delivery of humanitarian aid to help respond to the emergency.
“Ecuador will respond with the speed. commitment this moment demands because, despite our enormous differences, humanity must always guide the actions of a leader,” Noboa wrote.
The US said earlier it would deploy a disaster response team to the region, including aid, resources. search and rescue personnel.
US president Donald Trump has said the early reports coming out of Venezuela are “not good”. the two earthquakes have “left a devastating number of deaths”, in a post on Truth Social.
double quotation mark The two major earthquakes that just hit the great people of Venezuela are both massive in scale. have left a devastating number of deaths.
The US was ready, willing and able to help Venezuela, Trump added.
double quotation mark We will be there for our new and great friends.
There have not yet been any official reports on the number of casualties in Venezuela,. Trump did not cite any figures.
Venezuela has been rattled by more than 20 aftershocks since the first major earthquakes struck at about 6pm Wednesday local time. AFP reported, citing interim leader Delcy Rodriguez.
Residents have reported feeling too nervous to return to their homes, fearing the potential of further shakes.
Eyewitnesses caught in the earthquakes have described their terror as buildings cracked. shook around them and people ran screaming into the streets.
Outside a shopping centre in Caracas, people were in shock.
“The stairs came away, the whole wall cracked. Things fell from the ceiling. It was horrible,” 54-year-old bank employee Odalis Escalona, told AFP.
“We waited for it to pass. then ran down the escalator,” said Zenia Gonzalez, 52, who was comforting a crying teenager. “We had to wait because it was shaking too much. It lasted a long time,” she added.
Panicked screams could be heard as people fled the building.
Nearby, La Castellana resident Maria Romero also fled her apartment in a hurry.
“It was moving a lot and sounded like a deep roar,” the 48-year-old engineer said.
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