72 Hours After Venezuela Quakes: Race Against Time to Save Lives
Caolán Magee
Rescue crews are racing against time across Venezuela after two powerful earthquakes killed at least 235 people and injured over 4,300. Experts stress that the first 72 hours offer the best chance to save trapped survivors. Aftershocks and damaged infrastructure complicate the emergency response.
Rescue teams are racing against time across Venezuela after two powerful earthquakes, with epicenters in La Guaira state and the capital Caracas. The country’s health minister reported at least 235 dead and more than 4,300 injured, a toll expected to rise.
Two successive quakes, magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5, were felt nationwide and even in parts of Brazil. Acting President Delcy Rodriguez declared a national state of emergency, while Caracas’s Simon Bolivar International Airport was closed due to damage.
Why was the quake so destructive?
Venezuela lies on the boundary between the Caribbean and South American tectonic plates, making it particularly prone to strong earthquakes. About 80% of the population lives in seismically active areas.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the first quake, magnitude 7.2, struck near San Felipe, about 284 km west of Caracas. It was followed by a stronger magnitude 7.5 quake near Yumare. Both were shallow, occurring at depths under 20 km, producing stronger shaking than deeper quakes of equal magnitude.
What was the initial response?
Within minutes of the quakes, authorities activated emergency response plans. Local governments mobilized firefighters, police, medical teams, and civil defense personnel.
Neighboring countries were among the first to offer aid. Brazil announced a specialized rescue team of 36 firefighters. Mexico also pledged support. France and Switzerland dispatched rescue teams, while the U.S. committed $150 million in humanitarian aid. The International Federation of Red Cross activated its emergency network across Venezuela.
When did search and rescue begin?
Immediately. Survivors of initial collapses can live for several days if they avoid serious injuries, but their chances diminish rapidly with each hour. Water is often the deciding factor: three days without water is usually fatal. Those who survive longer amid the rubble typically do so because they had some water.
How to respond to aftershocks?
Major earthquakes almost always trigger aftershocks, some strong enough to topple already weakened buildings. Within just over five hours, authorities recorded at least 20 aftershocks. Experts say there is a 99% probability of magnitude 3 and 4 aftershocks in the coming week, and over 90% probability of magnitude 5 aftershocks.
Authorities repeatedly urged people not to return to damaged buildings. In Caracas and other cities, many residents spent the night on the streets, fearing aftershocks.
When will the death toll be known?
The true scale of the disaster often remains unclear for days. In the first hours, casualty reports trickle in from local officials. Six hours after the quakes, the first national death toll was 32, with about 700 injured. Within 24 hours, the figure rose to at least 235 dead and more than 4,300 injured.
The USGS, through its PAGER system, estimates a potential death toll ranging from 10,000 to 100,000.
Why are earthquakes today less deadly?
Experts suggest the death toll in Venezuela may not be as high as initially feared. Construction quality appears to have been better than many worried. The unusual sequence of two quakes may have also saved lives, as the first, smaller tremor drove people out of their homes before the larger one struck 40 seconds later.
Countries that frequently experience major quakes, such as Japan, Chile, and New Zealand, have strengthened building codes and invested in earthquake-resistant infrastructure. Conversely, regions less accustomed to quakes may have older or more vulnerable buildings, as seismic risk receives less attention.
