SAN FELIPE, Venezuela, June 25 (World Daily Times) — The U.S. Geological Survey said two major earthquakes struck Venezuela 39 seconds apart Wednesday evening, triggering red-alert damage estimates as Venezuelan and U.S. officials moved to coordinate rescue and aid.
USGS reported magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, with the first quake centered near San Felipe and the second near Yumare. The agency’s PAGER system issued red alerts, warning that high casualties and extensive damage were probable and projecting a widespread disaster with major economic effects.
Damage was reported in Caracas, where rescuers searched through debris from damaged and collapsed buildings. Venezuelan official Delcy Rodríguez said the quakes had caused widespread destruction and declared a state of emergency.
Rodríguez later said at least 32 people had died and more than 700 were injured. The brief did not provide a single independently verified final casualty count.
President Donald Trump said on Truth Social that the earthquakes had caused “a devastating number of deaths” and that the United States stood ready to help. He said he had instructed U.S. agencies to prepare 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. Senior State Department official Jeremy Lewin said a disaster assistance team and task force had been established to coordinate search-and-rescue operations, medical supplies and humanitarian aid.
