CARACUS, June 26 — Venezuela earthquake — Venezuela was struck by two powerful earthquakes in rapid succession on the evening of June 24, with both tremors — measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude — striking within less than 60 seconds of each other and leaving the capital Caracas in ruins, prompting the government to declare a national state of emergency as fears grew that the death toll could reach into the tens of thousands.
The twin Venezuela earthquake struck near Montalbán, a region located approximately 160 kilometres west of Caracas, at a shallow depth of around 10 kilometres below the surface. The first tremor registered a magnitude of 7.2, and before residents could recover, a second and stronger quake measuring 7.5 followed almost immediately. The two-strike sequence caused extensive structural collapse across multiple districts of Caracas, with entire apartment blocks and residential buildings crumbling under the consecutive impacts.
The timing of the disaster compounded the human cost. The earthquakes struck during a public holiday in Venezuela, meaning a large proportion of the population was at home rather than dispersed across workplaces and schools. Emergency services were immediately overwhelmed as calls for help flooded in from across the capital and surrounding regions.
Acting President Delcy Rodríguez addressed the nation shortly after the quakes, declaring a constitutional state of emergency and announcing the suspension of all non-essential activities. All schools across the country were ordered closed, and government agencies were directed to redirect their full resources toward search and rescue operations. She offered condolences to the families of those killed and appealed for calm and unity during what she described as one of the most difficult moments in the country’s recent history.
Official figures released by Venezuelan authorities confirmed 164 deaths and 971 injuries. However, the United States Geological Survey issued a red alert alongside its assessment that the final death toll would likely fall between 10,000 and 100,000 — a projection that sent shockwaves through the international community. The USGS also warned of major economic losses, potentially amounting to between two and 20 percent of Venezuela’s gross domestic product.
A tsunami warning was issued by the US tsunami warning system for coastal areas within a 300-kilometre radius of the epicentre, triggering emergency evacuations along Venezuela’s northern coast and in parts of the Caribbean. The warning was eventually lifted, but the fear generated during the alert added to the chaos already unfolding across the country.
US President Donald Trump was among the first world leaders to react publicly, posting on social media that both earthquakes had been “extremely massive,” causing “tremendous death,” and that early reports were “not looking good.” International aid organisations moved swiftly to mobilise support, with multiple countries and agencies pledging emergency humanitarian assistance to the affected region.
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