SAN FELIPE, Venezuela, June 25 (World Daily Times) — Two major earthquakes struck Venezuela 39 seconds apart on Wednesday evening, the U.S. Geological Survey said, and its rapid-impact model warned of severe casualties and widespread damage as rescue crews and U.S. officials prepared aid.
The USGS said the quakes measured 7.5 and 7.2 and were centered near San Felipe and Yumare. Authorities and responders reported damaged and collapsed buildings in Caracas, where crews searched through debris.
Venezuelan official Delcy Rodríguez declared a state of emergency after the quakes and later said at least 32 people were killed and more than 700 were injured. She said rescue efforts were under way at collapsed buildings.
President Donald Trump said on Truth Social that the earthquakes had left “a devastating number of deaths” and that the United States stood ready to help. He also said he had instructed all federal agencies to “get ready to move quickly.”
U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau said U.S. officials were in contact with Venezuelan authorities and were mobilizing assistance. The State Department’s Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs said it was closely watching the aftermath, and senior State Department official Jeremy Lewin said a disaster assistance team and task force had been established to coordinate search and rescue, medical supplies and humanitarian aid.
The USGS PAGER system issued red alerts for the quakes, projecting high casualties and extensive damage.
