At least 32 people have been killed and 700 injured in two powerful earthquakes that struck northern Venezuela on Wednesday evening, according to officials. The back-to-back tremors, occurring around 6pm local time, caused widespread damage, collapsing buildings and forcing the closure of the main airport.
Earthquake Details and Impact
The first earthquake, with a magnitude of 7.2, hit approximately 160km (100 miles) west of Caracas. A second tremor, measuring 7.5 magnitude, struck just one minute later, making it the most powerful earthquake to hit Venezuela since 1900. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) confirmed the magnitudes and epicenters.
Venezuela's interim president Delcy Rodríguez declared a state of emergency following the quakes. Rescue teams are working to search for survivors amid the rubble, and hospitals are overwhelmed with the injured. The government has not yet provided a full assessment of the damage, but local media report widespread structural failures in several states.
Seeking Public Response
The Guardian is reaching out to people affected by the earthquakes to share their experiences. We want to know how you are coping, what help you are receiving, and how the disaster has impacted your life. Your safety is our priority; we recognize it may not always be safe to share your story, so please consider your security before contacting us.
You can share your response via the encrypted form on our website or by messaging us on WhatsApp at +447766780300. For fully anonymous communication, please use our Secure Messaging service. All submissions are confidential and will only be used for this feature.
Historical Context
The 7.5 magnitude quake is the strongest recorded in Venezuela since 1900, surpassing previous seismic events. The country sits on the Caribbean plate boundary, making it prone to earthquakes, though such powerful events are rare. The last major earthquake in Venezuela was in 1997, which caused significant damage in the state of Sucre.
