Rescuers searched rubble after two shallow earthquakes of 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude struck near Caracas and La Guaira on Wednesday at 18:04 local time (22:04 GMT), killing at least 235 people and injuring 4,300. The first quake occurred at a depth of 20.3 km and the second at 10 km, according to the US Geological Survey. Both events were centered close to the surface, which increased structural damage. In Caracas and the nearby coastal city of La Guaira, survivors called for help from beneath collapsed buildings. Approximately 250 buildings were damaged or destroyed, most in La Guaira, where a 10‑storey hotel was reduced to rubble, as verified by BBC footage. In Chacao, Mayor Gustavo Duque reported 11 deaths and 23 rescues outside a ruined building. Jorge Rodríguez, president of the National Assembly, said the death toll had risen after interim President Delcy Rodríguez declared a state of emergency. The United States pledged $150 million in aid and announced deployment of military transport ships and aircraft to support search and rescue operations, a statement said. The Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Mexico and Qatar also expressed willingness to assist. Aftershocks continued, with at least 30 recorded by the USGS. The agency estimated a 42 % probability of more than 10,000 deaths and a 33 % probability of exceeding 100,000 deaths based on historical data and the size of the affected population. Journalist Luis Hernández noted that power outages and internet failures in the region made assessing the full extent of damage difficult. Emergency services continued to search for survivors, with teams from multiple countries supporting the effort. The final death toll may increase further, and the long‑term impact on the affected communities remains uncertain.