A desperate search for survivors is underway in northern Venezuela following a pair of powerful back-to-back earthquakes that struck Wednesday evening. Officials report the death toll has risen to more than 235, with at least 4,300 injured and thousands still missing.
The 7.2- and 7.5-magnitude quakes are among the strongest to hit the nation in over a century. The coastal state of La Guaira, just north of the capital Caracas, suffered catastrophic damage, with buildings flattened and major infrastructure crippled.
Neighbors are digging through rubble by hand, facing a shortage of heavy machinery. The country's main international airport, located in La Guaira, is closed due to damage, severely hampering rescue and aid logistics.
Acting President Delcy Rodríguez declared a state of emergency and announced a $200 million reconstruction fund. The U.S. is deploying assistance led by the Pentagon to help navigate the logistical challenges.
International aid teams from Chile, Switzerland, Turkey, Mexico, and other nations have arrived or are en route. The Venezuelan diaspora is also mobilizing to send funds, though communication and payment systems are severely disrupted.
Geophysicists note the twin earthquakes' shallow depth and proximity amplified the devastation, a "one-two punch" for a region already grappling with severe economic and political instability.