CARACAS:  Acting Venezuelan President Delcy Rodríguez has declared a state of national emergency following a rare and highly destructive "doublet" earthquake that struck north-central Venezuela, causing widespread structural collapse in the capital city.

The Twin Tremors

The catastrophe unfolded in rapid succession just after 18:00 local time on Wednesday. According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the first seismic event registered as a magnitude 7.2 foreshock. Just 39 seconds later, a massive magnitude 7.5 mainshock struck the same area along the country's Caribbean coast, west of Caracas.

The back-to-back tremors are among the strongest recorded in Venezuela in over a century. The shocks were felt across the country and triggered evacuations as far away as Bogotá, Colombia, and parts of Brazil. Because the disaster hit during an evening national holiday, a vast majority of the capital's population was at home when the buildings began to violently sway.

Impact and Structural Devastation

Severe structural damage has been reported across Caracas and neighboring states, leaving major portions of the capital without power or cellular service.

• Search and Rescue: Emergency crews and volunteers are frantically digging through the debris of multiple collapsed multi-story buildings, including high-rises in Caracas's Altamira and San Bernardino neighborhoods. On the ground, rescue workers report hearing survivors calling for help from beneath the rubble.

• Aviation Grounded: The country’s primary international gateway, Simón Bolívar International Airport, has been closed indefinitely after sustaining severe infrastructural damage.

• Widespread Casualties Feared: While official death tolls have not yet been finalized, the USGS issued a stark warning that high casualties are probable, noting that the "disaster is likely widespread."

Official Response

In a late-night televised address, Acting President Rodríguez urged residents to remain calm and unified as the civil protection network deploys nationwide. While she offered immediate condolences to families who have lost loved ones, she did not specify the exact number of fatalities.

Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello has urged residents to stay out of their homes for the time being, citing the immediate threat of dangerous aftershocks, of which more than 20 have already been recorded. International leaders across Latin America and the global community have begun offering immediate solidarity and humanitarian assistance.