At least 32 people have been killed and more than 700 others injured after two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela, causing widespread destruction, collapsing buildings, and triggering panic across several regions of the country.

The twin earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude, struck on Wednesday near the coastal town of Morón, according to the United States Geological Survey. The powerful tremors caused extensive damage in the capital, Caracas, and surrounding states, prompting authorities to declare a state of emergency.

Addressing the nation on Thursday, Venezuela’s interim president, Delcy Rodriguez, confirmed the death toll and said rescue operations were continuing.

“At this time, we have received reports of 32 deaths and more than 700 injured,” Rodriguez said, noting that casualty figures could rise as authorities were still assessing the impact in the worst-hit areas, particularly La Guaira State.

She also disclosed that at least 20 aftershocks had been recorded following the initial quakes.

Buildings Collapse, Airport Shut Down

The earthquakes caused severe structural damage across several parts of the country. In Caracas, a 22-storey building reportedly collapsed in the Altamira district, while rescue workers and volunteers searched through debris for survivors.

Authorities also ordered the closure of Maiquetia International Airport after reports of significant damage to airport infrastructure.

Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello urged residents to leave damaged buildings and announced that gas supplies had been shut off in some areas to prevent explosions and further accidents.

“We have some damaged structures and we do not want any accident involving gas to occur,” he said.

Residents Recount Harrowing Experience

Many residents described scenes of chaos as the earthquakes struck.

Odalis Escalona, a 54-year-old bank employee, said walls cracked and debris fell from ceilings during the tremors.

“The stairs came away, the whole wall cracked. Things fell from the ceiling. It was horrible,” she said.

Another resident, Heidi Romero, recalled being evacuated from a shopping centre in Caracas through emergency stairways as panic spread among shoppers and workers.

“It was unbelievable. We were on the top floor and had to use the emergency stairs to get out,” she said.

International Reactions and Rescue Efforts

United States President Donald Trump expressed condolences and offered assistance to Venezuela.

“The U.S.A. stands ready, willing, and able to help,” Trump said in a statement, adding that federal agencies had been instructed to prepare emergency support if requested.

The earthquakes were also felt in neighbouring Colombia, including the capital, Bogotá, where some residents evacuated buildings as a precaution.

According to Colombian seismic authorities, more than 200 reports of tremors were received from across the country. However, disaster management agencies ruled out any tsunami threat following the seismic activity.

One of Venezuela’s Deadliest Earthquakes in Decades

The two earthquakes struck less than a minute apart, with the second and stronger quake occurring approximately 39 seconds after the first, according to USGS data.

The states of La Guaira, Miranda, Carabobo, and Trujillo were among the hardest hit.

The disaster ranks among Venezuela’s deadliest seismic events in recent decades. The country’s most devastating recent earthquake occurred in Caracas in 1967, when 236 people lost their lives, while a 1997 earthquake in northeastern Venezuela claimed 73 lives.

Rescue operations remain ongoing as emergency responders continue searching for survivors and assessing the full extent of the damage.