Two exceptionally powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela within 39 seconds on Wednesday evening, collapsing buildings in Caracas and several surrounding states, damaging major infrastructure, and sending residents fleeing into the streets.

The earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5, struck shortly after 6:00 p.m. local time, approximately 100 miles west of Caracas. Both occurred at shallow depths, producing particularly violent shaking near their epicenters, and were followed by at least 20 aftershocks.

The United States Geological Survey issued its highest-level red alert, warning that “high casualties and extensive damage are probable” and that the disaster was likely widespread.

At this early stage, the actual scale of the disaster remains impossible to determine.

Early government figures reported at least 32 people killed and approximately 700 injured. Authorities warned that the numbers could rise as rescue workers searched collapsed buildings in Caracas, La Guaira, and other affected regions.

Wednesday’s earthquakes were among the strongest experienced in Venezuela in modern times. The 7.5 mainshock was substantially stronger than the magnitude 6.3 Caracas earthquake of 1967, which killed between 225 and 300 people and injured more than 1,500.

Acting President Delcy Rodríguez declared a nationwide state of emergency and said buildings had collapsed in Caracas and elsewhere.

“We extend our condolences to those who have unfortunately suffered the loss of a family member,” Rodríguez said during an initial televised address.

Simón Bolívar International Airport in Maiquetía, which serves Caracas, was closed because of what Rodríguez described as “serious damage to infrastructure.” Schools were closed through the end of the week, metro and rail services were halted, and the country’s public and private healthcare systems were activated.

Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello said firefighters, police, and civil defense personnel had been deployed across the affected areas.

“We have buildings and homes that have collapsed, and we are responding with everything we have available in terms of security and civil assistance,” he said.

President Donald Trump said the United States was preparing to assist Venezuela.

“The two major earthquakes that just hit the great people of Venezuela are both massive in scale and have left a devastating number of deaths,” Trump wrote. “The U.S.A. stands ready, willing, and able to help!”

“I have instructed all agencies of our government to get ready to move quickly,” he continued. “We will be there for our new and great friends. Early reports are not good!”

Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau said American officials were in contact with Venezuelan authorities and mobilizing assistance.

“The US stands with the Venezuelan people in the aftermath of this evening’s devastating earthquakes,” Landau wrote. “We’re in touch with the authorities and mobilizing assistance. May G-d bless our Venezuelan friends at this difficult moment.”

Senior State Department official Jeremy Lewin said a disaster assistance team and task force had already been mobilized to coordinate the American response.

“Working with our partners in the interim Venezuelan government, the U.S. will be sending search and rescue teams, medical and humanitarian supplies and other resources in the crucial first days after this tragic natural disaster,” Lewin said.

El Salvador President Nayib Bukele offered to send “300 rescuers and paramedics, along with 50 tons of equipment, medicines and essential supplies” to Caracas.

Rodríguez thanked Bukele and said she had instructed Venezuela’s Foreign Ministry to coordinate the assistance immediately.

In Caracas, shluchim were checking in on members of the Jewish community and offering support as residents tried to understand the extent of the damage.

Mrs. Mushky Levinson, who serves as a shlucha with her husband, Rabbi Hillel Levinson, told Anash.org that the shaking was extremely powerful and left many people in shock.

“It was very strong, it was very, very bad,” she said. “People had things destroyed in their homes and walls fell, but so far everyone we know is okay. It is literally a miracle.”

Many residents evacuated their buildings, with some later returning home and others going to the Jewish community center. Rabbi Levinson offered accommodations to members of the community who may need a place to stay.

“A lot of people are in shock,” Mrs. Levinson said. “Some people already went back up, and some people went to the Jewish community center. My husband is there and is offering everyone a place to stay.”

She stressed that the situation was still unfolding and that the shluchim were still trying to confirm the full condition of the community and the damage around them.

Mrs. Chaftziva Schochet, one of the Chabad shluchim in Venezuela, told Ynet that the earthquake began moments after she received an alert on her phone.

“I said Tehillim and waited for it to pass,” she said. She described cracks in the walls, pictures falling, and outages of electricity and water, saying the two earthquakes together felt like a terrifying, extended shaking.

She later searched from one shul to another until she found her husband, who was not hurt. “The whole street was full of traumatized people,” she told Ynet, describing elderly residents, children, and families standing outside as aftershocks continued through the night.

According to community members who spoke to Israeli media, the Jewish community in Caracas appeared to be physically safe, though many remained outside or in safer locations because of fears of aftershocks and damaged buildings.