Powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela and Japan on the same day, triggering emergency responses in both countries. In Venezuela, authorities issued localised tsunami warnings after two strong tremors measured 7.5 and 7.2 in magnitude.
The earthquakes caused building collapses in several Venezuelan regions. Officials said rescue teams are still assessing the full scale of the damage. Acting President Delcy Rodríguez declared a nationwide state of emergency. She confirmed severe damage at Simón Bolívar International Airport in Maiquetía and ordered its closure.
The government closed schools across affected areas. Authorities suspended metro and rail services. Officials also halted all non-essential activities to focus on emergency operations. Rodríguez directed the activation of the military’s General Staff under the Bolivarian National Guard to assist with rescue and security efforts.
International support followed quickly. US Energy Secretary Chris Wright expressed condolences to affected families and communities. He said the United States stood ready to support recovery efforts. US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau said Washington had begun coordinating assistance with Venezuelan authorities. El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele also confirmed an offer of emergency aid through diplomatic channels.
In Japan, a separate earthquake struck off the coast of Iwate Prefecture. The quake occurred at a depth of about 50 kilometres. Authorities did not issue a tsunami warning and reported only minor sea-level changes. The tremor reached an intensity of 6-plus in Aomori Prefecture, according to Japan’s seismic scale.
Rail operators temporarily halted some services, including sections of the Tohoku Shinkansen. Power companies reported no irregularities at nearby nuclear plants. Japan remains one of the world’s most seismically active nations.
