Twin earthquakes strike near Caracas, death toll estimates reach 10,000

Rescue teams mobilized across Venezuela following back-to-back major earthquakes centered near Caracas, as workers raced to locate survivors trapped in collapsed buildings and retrieve the dead from affected areas.

The U.S. Geological Survey estimated the twin quakes could have caused as many as 10,000 deaths, though final casualty figures remained unclear as emergency operations continued.

The earthquakes caused widespread structural damage in the capital region. Rescue workers prioritized removing debris from flattened buildings to reach stranded people. Simultaneously, teams worked to provide medical care to the injured and establish protocols for identifying and recovering the deceased.

Authorities did not immediately release preliminary damage assessments or confirmed casualty counts. Search and recovery operations covered multiple sites across the affected region.

The extent of the disaster prompted regional and international attention to Venezuela's capacity to manage the emergency response and coordinate relief efforts.