Two powerful earthquakes strike northern Venezuela; dozens dead
Rescuers in Venezuela are searching for survivors after two earthquakes of magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5 hit the northern part of the country. Dozens have been killed, hundreds injured, and a state of emergency has been declared.
Destruction and rescue efforts
Northern Venezuela was hit by two powerful earthquakes on Monday, June 24, 2026, causing widespread damage and casualties. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the first quake had a magnitude of 7.2 and struck at a depth of 22 kilometres (14 miles). Less than a minute later, a second quake of magnitude 7.5 hit at a depth of about 10 kilometres (6 miles). The epicenters of both quakes were in Yaracuy state, west of the capital Caracas.
Rescue workers in Caracas and other cities rushed to find survivors in the rubble of collapsed buildings. Many people fled into the streets during the quakes and were too afraid to return to standing structures. In Caracas, rescue teams combed through the debris of collapsed apartment blocks. A woman was seen comforting a child on a street in the capital.
Victims and aid
The hardest-hit area was La Guaira, Venezuela's main port located north of Caracas on the Caribbean coast. Acting President Delcy Rodriguez declared a state of emergency and described La Guaira as a "disaster zone," saying rescuers are "working to save lives." Experts warned that the death toll could reach thousands.
Nearly two dozen aftershocks followed the twin tremors, and experts cautioned that more strong aftershocks could occur in the coming days. People in La Guaira waited for medical treatment at a field hospital, while injured individuals received care in vehicles.
