Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
At least 164 people have been confirmed dead and 971 others injured after two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela in rapid succession on Wednesday evening, according to an updated toll from acting President Delcy Rodríguez. The initial death toll of 32, announced shortly after the quakes, did not include casualties from the hardest-hit coastal state of La Guaira, which has now been declared a disaster zone.
The twin seismic events, among the strongest to hit Venezuela in more than a century, struck at approximately 6:04 p.m. local time (23:04 BST) on Wednesday, June 24, 2026. The first tremor registered a magnitude of 7.2, with its epicentre located west of the community of Morón in Carabobo state, about 168 kilometres west of Caracas, at a depth of 13 kilometres. Just 40 seconds later, a second, more powerful earthquake of magnitude 7.5 struck nearby, at a depth of 10 kilometres. The epicentres were located in the state of Yaracuy, approximately ten kilometres apart.
The earthquakes caused widespread destruction across multiple regions, including Caracas, Miranda, La Guaira, Aragua, Carabobo and Falcón. The coastal state of La Guaira, north of the capital and home to the country's main airport, bore the brunt of the disaster, with dozens of buildings collapsing or suffering severe damage. Acting President Rodríguez described the situation in La Guaira as "a real tragedy". In the capital, Caracas, several buildings collapsed in the earthquake-prone districts of Altamira and Palos Grandes. Three people were killed after two buildings collapsed in the Baruta municipality of Caracas, while one person died and four buildings completely collapsed in the Chacao district. The city of Valencia also sustained extensive damage.
Rescue operations are ongoing, with emergency crews searching through the rubble for survivors. Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello confirmed that gas supplies to homes had been suspended due to building damage, and he urged residents to remain outside as aftershocks could further damage structures. The US Geological Survey (USGS) has warned that high casualties and extensive damage are probable, adding that aftershocks with potentially strong shaking may follow. The agency's predictive modelling estimated a significant risk of landslides and liquefaction.
Maiquetia International Airport in Caracas has been closed due to structural damage, and transit flights over Venezuela have been suspended. Internet disruptions have also been reported across the country. The NetBlocks monitoring service confirmed connectivity issues following the quake.
The international community has mobilised swiftly to offer assistance. US President Donald Trump announced that the United States would send search and rescue teams, medical supplies and humanitarian aid. El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele has formed a team of 300 rescuers and doctors, along with 50 metric tons of equipment and medicines. Mexico, Ecuador, Honduras, Peru, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Brazil, Cuba, and Italy have also pledged support or deployed emergency response teams.
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who is currently in US custody, called on the country's people to unite in an X post, stating that Venezuela has faced serious challenges before and will overcome this one. Acting President Rodríguez has declared a nationwide state of emergency, allowing extra resources and personnel to be deployed for recovery efforts.
The death toll is expected to rise as rescue efforts continue and more areas are assessed. Acting President Rodríguez noted that the initial figures did not include casualties from La Guaira state, and the updated toll of 164 reflects the severity of the damage in that region. The USGS has warned that the disaster is "likely widespread" and that aftershocks may follow.
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