CARACAS – A powerful earthquake struck northern Venezuela on Wednesday evening, sending strong tremors across much of the country and into neighboring Caribbean islands, including Curaçao, Aruba, Bonaire, Trinidad and Tobago, and parts of Colombia.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the first earthquake measured magnitude 7.2 and was centered approximately 28 kilometers northwest of Montalbán in Venezuela's Carabobo state at a shallow depth of about 13 kilometers. Less than a minute later, a second, even stronger magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck nearby, making the event a rare and destructive seismic doublet.
The powerful shaking was widely felt in Caracas, where residents rushed out of homes, offices, and apartment buildings as structures swayed. Videos circulating on social media showed damaged buildings, collapsed structures, and emergency crews responding to affected areas. Authorities declared a state of emergency as rescue operations continued through the night.
Preliminary reports indicate that at least 32 people have died and more than 700 others have been injured, although officials have warned that the casualty figures are expected to rise as search-and-rescue teams continue to reach damaged areas. Thousands of people have also been reported missing in the aftermath of the disaster.
The tremors were also felt in Curaçao, where many residents reported feeling buildings shake for several seconds. Similar reports came from Aruba, Bonaire, Trinidad and Tobago, and parts of Colombia, reflecting the widespread impact of one of the strongest earthquakes to strike Venezuela in more than a century
Authorities have warned residents to remain alert for aftershocks, which are expected in the coming hours and days. While tsunami alerts were briefly considered following the earthquakes, no significant tsunami threat remains for most areas of the Caribbean.
Emergency officials continue to assess the full extent of the damage as rescue operations remain underway. International leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump, have expressed solidarity with Venezuela and offered assistance in the recovery effort.