BBC News, go to content. Main Sections: News, Economy, Health and Science, Culture and Arts, World Cup 2026, Investigations. "Double earthquake" strikes Venezuela, killing at least 32 and injuring 700 others. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, two earthquakes with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5 struck Venezuela on Wednesday, causing dozens of deaths and hundreds of injuries according to initial reports.
Interim President Delcy Rodríguez declared a state of emergency, and Caracas Airport was closed, which she said suffered significant damage.
On Thursday, Rodríguez announced that at least 32 people had died and more than 700 were injured in the initial toll of the two earthquakes that struck the country on Wednesday.
She said in a message, "We currently have information indicating 32 deaths... and more than 700 injured," noting that she does not yet have data regarding the nearby La Guaira state, which she also said was the most affected, according to AFP.
According to the agency, the first earthquake registered a magnitude of 7.2 at 18:04 (22:04 GMT) at a depth of 21.9 km, about 200 km from Caracas, followed by a second earthquake 39 seconds later with a magnitude of 7.5 and a depth of 10 km at a distance of 45 km, followed by about twenty aftershocks.
The Geological Survey noted that "the event was a double earthquake," and it is a "disaster that is expected to have severe repercussions" adding that "the death toll is likely to be high and the damages extensive."
Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello urged residents to leave their homes, adding that gas supplies to many buildings have been cut off as a precautionary measure.
He said, "Some facilities were damaged, and we don’t want any kind of gas-related incidents."
The American president, Donald Trump, expressed the United States' readiness to assist Venezuela after the two earthquakes which he described as "tremendous," stating they resulted in a large number of casualties.
Trump wrote in a post on his social media platform that the United States is "prepared to assist," adding that he has instructed all U.S. government agencies to be ready to move quickly, saying, "We will be there for our new and great friends," noting that "initial reports are not encouraging."
Interim President Delcy Rodríguez thanked him for his support and assistance to her country in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake.
In a post on X platform, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau stated that the United States stands with the Venezuelan people following the devastating earthquakes that struck the country, emphasizing that Washington is in contact with the authorities and working to mobilize assistance efforts.
Landau added, "We pray that God blesses our Venezuelan friends in this difficult time," concluding his message with the phrase: "Strength to Venezuela! We are with you!"
Rodríguez declared a state of emergency in the country following the earthquake that struck Venezuela, during a televised address to the nation.
She appeared alongside Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello and National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez, who also holds a prominent position in power, announcing the appointment of a general to oversee emergency response operations.
The interim president urged Venezuelans to unite and stand together in facing the consequences of the disaster, emphasizing the importance of national solidarity during this period.
She also extended her condolences to the families of the victims who lost relatives due to the earthquake, without revealing an official death toll.
Rodríguez has been managing the country's affairs temporarily since January 2026, after the former president, Nicolás Maduro, was detained by American forces and taken to New York to face charges related to drug trafficking.