Devastating double earthquake of magnitude 7.5 in Venezuela: at least 32 dead and over 700 injured, it is the most powerful in the last 126 years

The earth shook with a violence that Venezuela had not remembered for over a century. Late in the afternoon, a devastating double seismic sequence brought the nation to its knees in just forty seconds. The first violent shock, of magnitude 7.2, had its epicenter in the San Felipe area in the state of Yaracuy; just moments later, a second and even more terrifying peak of magnitude 7.5 hit southeast of Yumare, a strategic area that is home to the country’s main refineries. The shock wave spread instantly to the capital Caracas and the coast, leaving behind a trail of collapses, fires and dust. The provisional toll provided by the authorities has 32 dead and over 700 injured, but these figures are tragically destined to rise.

Caracas trembles and La Guaira becomes a disaster zone

The impact on urban centers was immediate. Interim President Delcy Rodriguez proclaimed a state of emergency, banning school activities and calling the situation a true national tragedy. The coastal state of La Guaira, and in particular the city of Catia La Mar, has been officially declared a disaster zone: here entire residential complexes, such as the Hugo Chávez buildings and the Playa Grande structures, have collapsed, while gas leaks have triggered widespread fires.

In Caracas, fear has paralyzed the metropolis. The mayors of the city municipalities, including Gustavo Duque in Chacao, Darwin González in Baruta and Edgar Laya in Los Salias, confirmed the first victims caused by the structural failure of dozens of buildings. Simón Bolívar International Airport in Maiquetía also had to suspend all flights due to the collapse of false ceilings in the terminals, forcing hundreds of passengers to flee onto the runways.

There are no Italian victims at the moment

On the Italian front, the deputy prime minister and foreign minister Antonio Tajani immediately activated the Farnesina crisis unit. The Italian ambassador in Caracas, Giovanni Umberto De Vito, confirmed that there were no victims among the compatriots registered on the Viaggiare Sicuri portal.

However, the situation remains critical for the large Italian-Venezuelan community: many homes of our compatriots have been destroyed and the embassy has opened its doors to give refuge to displaced families. Italy, in coordination with the consulates of Caracas and Maracaibo, has already started the procedures to request the European Union to formally activate the civil protection mechanism.

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