Overview
- Two powerful, shallow earthquakes struck in quick succession on Wednesday, a 7.2 event followed about 39 seconds later by a 7.5 shock, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
- Venezuelan authorities report 164 dead and 971 injured as of the latest government update while search-and-rescue teams continue operations in Caracas, La Guaira and other hard-hit states.
- The damage includes multiple building collapses, a declared national state of emergency, closure and structural inspections of Maiquetía airport, and thousands displaced who are sleeping outdoors or in shelters.
- USGS’s PAGER system produced a probabilistic impact estimate that signals the final death toll could be much higher, and several countries including the United States have offered search-and-rescue and humanitarian support.
- Venezuela’s location on the Caribbean–South American plate boundary and the unusual ‘doublet’ pattern help explain why shallow tremors caused intense surface shaking, complicating rescue work and the restoration of power, water and health services.