Two earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 on the Richter scale struck Venezuela on Wednesday, according to reports from Japan, Qatar and Western news outlets. The disasters left a large number of casualties and missing persons.

Accounts of the death toll differ. Some outlets reported at least 920 deaths, while others cited at least 1,430, figures that exceeded 1,400, and a count of 1,943. Additional single‑source reports placed the toll near 1,500 (Al Arabiya), at least 2,295 (Mercopress), approaching 3,000 (DW), and at least 3,342 (Bangkok Post). The United Nations estimated that nearly seven million people were affected (France24). At least 51,000 people were reported missing (Qatar, Western outlets), and a 72‑hour window was identified for rescuing survivors (Other, Western outlets).

Injuries were also significant. Mainichi reported at least 3,360 injured, while Mercopress cited 11,267 injured. Rescue operations involved teams from 20 countries digging through rubble by hand (Bluesky) and foreign rescue teams arriving in La Guaira (Al Arabiya). U.S. rescuers were described as racing against the critical survival window (Fox News). International rescue teams later began closing operations (DW).

Interim President Delcy Rodríguez announced a presidential commission to assess building habitability (Al Arabiya) and vowed to save as many people as possible (The Guardian).