Twin earthquakes leave over 1,430 dead in Venezuela as rescue window closes and satellite images show widespread destruction
At least 1,430 people have been confirmed dead and over 51,000 are missing after twin earthquakes of magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 struck Venezuela’s Caribbean coast on 24 June, collapsing buildings and overwhelming morgues as the critical 72-hour rescue window ends.
What happened
On 24 June at about 6pm local time, two earthquakes of magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 struck near San Felipe, roughly 40 seconds apart. The back-to-back tremors, followed by more than 302 aftershocks, devastated coastal communities. The state of La Guaira is the worst affected, with the cities of Catia la Mar, Macuto and Caraballeda bearing the brunt of the destruction.
Rescue efforts and challenges
Thousands of rescuers, relatives and volunteers have been digging day and night through mounds of concrete. International teams from Spain and Colombia joined the effort, and rescuers pulled a 9‑month‑old baby and his mother alive from rubble. Authorities restricted access to some disaster zones and deployed the military as frustration grew over limited resources and slow aid. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that 1,423 infrastructures were damaged, and transport remains suspended, with international airports closed.
Human toll and overwhelmed mortuary
The official death toll stands at 1,430, but officials warn it will climb. More than 51,000 people remain missing. The Bello Monte mortuary in Caracas was inundated with bodies brought in on motorcycles and pickup trucks.
Yesterday, the entire street was packed with people arriving with deceased relatives.
Marjorie Cedeño lost her mother, father and brother when their building collapsed. Only her brother’s body had been identified by Friday night.
When the earthquake started, my brother was just entering the building. We believe his instinct was to go inside and rescue my parents, who were still there.
Destruction revealed by satellite
Satellite imagery captured on 26 June and released by Planet and Vantor reveals widespread damage along the San Sebastián fault, parallel to the coastline. In Caraballeda, a city of 53,000, entire neighbourhoods are reduced to rubble. The 12‑storey Residencia Nautilus apartment block collapsed, trapping dozens. Images show more than a dozen buildings completely destroyed in Macuto and over twenty damaged along José María España Avenue in Caraballeda. Before‑and‑after views confirm the collapse of high‑rise residential buildings and seafront resorts.
- Magnitude 7.2 earthquake strikes near San Felipe.
- Second earthquake, magnitude 7.5, hits 40 seconds later.
- Satellite images reveal widespread destruction along the Caribbean coast.
- 72‑hour rescue window ends; at least 1,430 confirmed dead, over 51,000 missing.
Outlook and missing persons
Disaster experts stressed the first 72 hours offer the greatest rescue window, which ended on Sunday 28 June. The U.S. Geological Survey estimates a 92% probability of more than 1,000 fatalities, a 59% chance of exceeding 10,000 dead, and does not rule out figures above 100,000. Websites like “Venezuela te busca” are collecting missing‑person reports, with the parishes of Catia la Mar and Caraballeda reporting the highest numbers.
