Two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela’s capital Caracas and surrounding regions on Wednesday evening, causing widespread destruction and killing at least 235 people, according to the Health Ministry. Hundreds remain trapped under debris, and more than 46,000 people are listed as missing. The quakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude, hit near San Felipe and Yumar within 39 seconds of each other, marking the strongest seismic event in the country since 1900.

Authorities reported over 1,520 injuries and the destruction of more than 250 buildings, including hospitals, the Red Cross headquarters, and the French Embassy. The coastal state of La Guaira, home to Caracas’s main airport, was declared a disaster zone by Acting President Delcy Rodríguez. Power outages and aftershocks have hampered rescue efforts, while residents complain of delayed government aid.

International assistance is mobilizing rapidly. The United States, Russia, and several European and Asian nations have pledged rescue teams and financial support. The UN is coordinating global relief efforts, emphasizing the scale of the humanitarian crisis in a country already struggling with economic collapse.