Twin quakes level parts of northern Venezuela, more than 30,000 still unaccounted for

Two powerful earthquakes struck northern Venezuela in rapid succession, killing at least 188 people and leaving more than 30,000 missing in what officials are calling the country's worst seismic disaster in a century. The quakes, with magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5, hit just 39 seconds apart about 160 kilometers west of Caracas, according to the Independent. The BBC reported that over 1,500 people were injured and hundreds of buildings were destroyed, with approximately 3,000 families now homeless.

Rescue teams continue to pick through rubble as fears mount that the death toll could rise dramatically. Survivors described scenes of utter chaos and devastation. The Independent quoted residents who said the aftermath resembled a 'horror movie' as survivors and bodies were pulled from debris.

"It's like a horror movie."

Such visceral descriptions underscore the scale of the disaster, with whole neighborhoods reduced to piles of concrete and twisted metal. The BBC noted that many residents spent the night in public squares and streets, too afraid to return to their homes amid ongoing aftershocks.

A massive search and rescue operation is underway, coordinated by local authorities with support from neighboring countries. The BBC reported that the twin quakes, centered in the Caracas region, have left a vast area in need of emergency shelter, food, and medical care. The Independent added that the 30,000 missing figure makes this the most severe seismic event Venezuela has experienced in a century, outpacing previous quakes in terms of both force and human cost.