At least 235 people have been killed and more than 40,000 remain missing after two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela within a minute of each other on Wednesday, authorities said. Search and rescue operations are continuing in the affected areas as emergency teams race to locate survivors beneath the rubble.
The back-to-back earthquakes caused widespread destruction across several parts of the country, including the capital, Caracas, where numerous buildings collapsed. Thousands of residents have been displaced and are spending the night in open spaces, fearing further aftershocks.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the first earthquake measured 7.1 magnitude. Its epicenter was located in the Caribbean coastal region, west of the community of Morón, approximately 168 kilometers west of Caracas, at a depth of 22 kilometers.
Roughly one minute later, a second and even stronger earthquake measuring 7.5 magnitude struck. The USGS said its epicenter was located about 16 kilometers southwest of Morón, with a depth of 10 kilometers.
The USGS issued a preliminary assessment warning of the potential for significant casualties and extensive structural damage. Rescue teams are working around the clock to clear debris and search for thousands of people who remain unaccounted for, while authorities continue to assess the full extent of the disaster.
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