SAN FELIPE, Venezuela, June 25 (World Daily Times) — Two major earthquakes struck Venezuela 39 seconds apart Wednesday evening, the U.S. Geological Survey said, damaging buildings in Caracas and prompting U.S. officials to line up aid as rescue crews searched through debris.
The USGS said the quakes measured 7.2 and 7.5 and were centered near San Felipe and Yumare. Its PAGER system issued red alerts, indicating high casualties and extensive damage were likely.
Rodríguez said the government declared a state of emergency after the quakes. She later said at least 32 people were killed and more than 700 were injured, while emergency crews worked through collapsed buildings and debris in Caracas.
Trump said on Truth Social that the earthquakes had left “a devastating number of deaths,” said the United States was ready to help, and said he had instructed federal agencies to move quickly.
Christopher Landau, the U.S. deputy secretary of state, said U.S. officials were in contact with Venezuelan authorities and were mobilizing assistance. Jeremy Lewin, a senior State Department official, said the department had set up a disaster assistance team and task force to coordinate search-and-rescue support, medical supplies and other humanitarian aid.
