Feature: Venezuelans rattled by powerful quakes, nation races against time to rescue trapped

Rescuers work at the ruins of a building in Caracas, Venezuela, June 24, 2026. (Photo by Marcos Salgado/Xinhua)

CARACAS, June 25 (Xinhua) -- Residents of Caracas were rattled Wednesday when two powerful earthquakes, both exceeding magnitude 7, struck within less than one minute of each other around 6 p.m. local time.

The tremors jolted the Venezuelan capital and were felt across much of the country's central and northern regions, sending people into the streets in shock and fear.

In the densely-populated Ciudad Tiuna neighborhood, southeast of Caracas, residents fled their homes in panic after feeling the strong tremors. In open sports fields and parking lots, community members gathered and organized themselves, preparing for any potential aftershocks from the twin earthquakes.

For Blanca Gonzalez, who lives with her 81-year-old father, the earthquake was terrifying. "Everything was shaking violently, and I had to keep a close eye on my father, who is in a wheelchair; we live on the sixth floor," she told Xinhua.

Omaira Ramos, a 54-year-old nurse, told Xinhua that despite the fear caused by the strong tremors that shook the buildings, the community was able to help care for the elderly and people with disabilities.

"Fortunately, many people in the community are familiar with earthquake safety guidelines and helped others stay calm, even though people were very frightened," said Ramos.

Even after 8 p.m., many people remained in open areas. Luis Arismemdi was one of them.

"I have young children, and they're still very scared because we live on a high floor and the tremor was very strong," he told Xinhua.

People gather for safety after an earthquake at Altamira Square in Chacao municipality of Miranda state, Venezuela, June 24, 2026. (Photo by Marcos Salgado/Xinhua)

The situation in other parts of Caracas was not different. Social media showed crowds gathering in the streets, with many people feeling unsafe to return home even as night fell over the Venezuelan capital.

In the aftermath of the back-to-back quakes, the Venezuelan government declared a nationwide state of emergency on Wednesday night as authorities assessed the extent of the damage and coordinated response efforts.

President of Venezuela's National Assembly Jorge Rodriguez said Thursday that the death toll had risen to 188, with 1,520 injured and about 200 people trapped under rubble.

The country is racing against time to save the injured and the trapped, Rodriguez said, adding that the figures will be updated in the coming hours.

Rescue specialists from across Venezuela and abroad are traveling to the disaster zone as search-and-rescue efforts intensify. The United Nations is also on its way with help, Venezuela's acting president Delcy Rodriguez said, adding many people are still being trapped inside damaged buildings.

In the Pinto Salinas neighborhood of east-central Caracas, local journalists reported that rescue teams had recovered two bodies from a collapsed building, while the search for survivors continued.

The earthquakes had triggered 138 aftershocks. Rescue personnel from across the country were being deployed to bolster operations in the hardest-hit areas, particularly La Guaira state and Greater Caracas, where hundreds of buildings had collapsed.

The country's health ministry said Thursday that 20 public and private hospitals in Venezuela have been designated to provide care for those affected by the earthquakes.

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil said that the government is taking necessary steps to coordinate international assistance after the earthquakes struck the country.

"The country values the offers of international aid and is working through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to manage and receive this much-needed support during these difficult times," Gil wrote in a post on Telegram.