Videos Show Panic as Twin 7.2 and 7.5 Magnitude Earthquakes Hit Venezuela 39 Seconds Apart; State of Emergency Declared

A powerful 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck Venezuela on Wednesday evening. Buildings began to crumble, power started to flicker, and before people could make sense of what was happening or run for cover, another stronger 7.5-magnitude earthquake hit the capital just 39 seconds later, triggering panic across Caracas.

"The stairs came away, the whole wall cracked. Things fell from the ceiling. It was horrible," 54-year-old bank employee Odalis Escalona in Caracas told AFP.

Acting Venezuelan President Delcy Rodriguez has declared a state of emergency after the country was struck by the back-to-back earthquakes. Authorities have confirmed fatalities, while rescue operations are underway across the affected areas, according to CNN.

In a televised address on Wednesday, Rodriguez confirmed that lives had been lost in the disaster and extended her condolences to families who had "sadly suffered the loss of a family member." However, she did not specify the number of deaths.

Visuals from the airport show passengers running out of the terminal with their luggage as the building shook, power flickered, and dust clouds filled the area. Some people were also seen taking shelter under a food counter inside the terminal.

In one heartwarming visual, a man is seen carrying two dogs in his arms as he makes his way out of a damaged building, saving not only himself but also his pets.

The intensity of the earthquakes, said to be among the strongest to hit Venezuela in more than a century, is evident in footage from inside a residential building. A vase falls onto a table, a wall-mounted television shakes violently, and a couch placed beside it moves back and forth.

A video from the coastal city of La Guaira shows the aftermath of the powerful quakes, with dust hanging in the air, deserted roads, and damaged buildings.

Another video from Caracas shows piles of rubble, with clothes and household belongings visible beneath the debris, indicating that a residential building once stood there before collapsing.

According to CNN, emergency response teams have been deployed to search for survivors trapped beneath collapsed buildings and damaged structures.

The Venezuelan capital was struck by two powerful earthquakes on Wednesday evening, causing widespread destruction, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).

The USGS has projected that the death toll could range between 10,000 and 100,000. It also warned that injuries could run into the thousands, while landslides have been triggered in several affected areas.

Twin Earthquakes in Venezuela

The first earthquake, with a magnitude of 7.2, struck at 2204 GMT with its epicentre located 21 kilometres (13 miles) west of the coastal town of Moron. Just 39 seconds later, a second, stronger 7.5-magnitude earthquake hit about 45 kilometres away.

The quakes struck at depths of 21.9 kilometres and 10 kilometres respectively, sending residents fleeing in panic. More than 20 aftershocks have since been recorded.

Venezuela's interim President Delcy Rodriguez has declared a state of emergency following the twin earthquakes. The presidency has also announced the closure of the country's main airport due to "serious damage."

Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado extended her condolences to the people of Venezuela and prayed for their safety. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), she wrote: "My heart, my infinite embrace, and my prayers are with every Venezuelan home in these hours of anguish. May strength, serenity, and solidarity prevail among us in the face of this difficult moment. May God protect every Venezuelan, our families, and our homes. Today, more united than ever."

Shortly after Venezuela's twin earthquakes, a 6.9-magnitude tremor struck northern Japan. No casualties or major damage were reported there.