Two powerful earthquakes strike Venezuela, tens of thousands feared dead
Two earthquakes of magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 struck Venezuela on Wednesday evening, causing widespread destruction and prompting a state of emergency. USGS estimates suggest tens of thousands may have died.
The earthquakes
Two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela on Wednesday evening, 24 June 2026. The first, with a magnitude of 7.2, was followed by a second tremor of 7.5, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The quakes caused severe shaking across the capital Caracas and other cities, with reports of collapsed buildings and widespread panic.
I have never seen anything like it. I lived through the 1967 Caracas earthquake, which caused many victims, but it was not like the one we experienced today.
The 1967 earthquake, previously the most destructive in Caracas' recent history, had a magnitude of 6.3 and killed around 240 people. The USGS now warns that the current disaster could be far deadlier.
Casualty estimates and damage
Official casualty figures have not been released, but the USGS estimates that tens of thousands of people may have died, with the possibility of over 100,000 fatalities. Local officials reported collapsed buildings and ongoing rescue operations. In the Chacao district of Caracas, mayor Gustavo Duque said two buildings had collapsed, 16 people were injured, and there were fatalities, though he did not give a number.
There are buildings, houses that have collapsed, and we are dealing with it using everything available in terms of safety and civil assistance. Firefighters, police, everything has been activated.
Power outages, communication disruptions, and problems with basic services were reported in many regions. A tsunami warning was issued for parts of the Caribbean, and residents were urged to stay in open spaces due to the risk of aftershocks.
State of emergency
Acting President Delcy Rodriguez declared a state of emergency and offered condolences to the families of the victims. Schools will be closed and non-essential activities suspended in the coming days. All flights at Caracas airport were cancelled due to damage, according to the newspaper El País.
When it started, we heard people screaming. Everyone was running down the stairs.
The earthquake struck on a national holiday, meaning many people were at home when the shaking began.
Baseball game interrupted
The earthquake interrupted a Venezuelan Professional Baseball League (LMBP) game between Marineros and Senadores at the Estadio Universitario in Caracas. Umpires immediately halted play and implemented emergency procedures. Video footage showed swaying light towers and speakers, and players from both teams rushed onto the field. The clip has been viewed over 4.8 million times on social media platform X. Stadium staff allowed fans to move onto the field, which was considered a safer open space. The league later announced the temporary suspension of all games as a gesture of solidarity with affected families.
International response
Several countries quickly offered assistance. US President Donald Trump said the United States is "ready, willing, and able to help" and instructed government agencies to prepare for rapid action.
Two large earthquakes that just hit the great nation of Venezuela were enormous in scale and left a devastating number of dead. The USA is ready, willing, and able to help!
Under Secretary of State for Humanitarian Assistance Jeremy Lewin announced that the US would send rescue teams, medical supplies, and humanitarian aid. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau expressed solidarity, writing on X, "God bless our Venezuelan friends in this difficult time."
El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele said his country had prepared 50 tons of supplies and a 300-person rescue team ready to fly to Caracas. Ecuador's President Daniel Noboa and Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva also announced plans to send aid, while Argentina's government offered condolences and assistance.
