Powerful 7.2 and 7.5 Earthquakes Strike Venezuela, Triggering State of Emergency
CARACAS — June 25, 2026 — A pair of powerful earthquakes struck north-central Venezuela on Wednesday evening, June 24, collapsing buildings in the capital Caracas and prompting acting President Delcy Rodríguez to declare a state of emergency .
The first earthquake, with a magnitude of 7.2, struck at approximately 18:04 local time (22:04 GMT) west of the coastal community of Morón, about 168 kilometers (104 miles) west of Caracas, at a depth of 13 kilometers . Just 39 seconds later, a second, more powerful tremor of magnitude 7.5 hit about 10 kilometers deep near Yumare, close to the first epicenter .
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The earthquakes, among the strongest to hit Venezuela in more than a century, caused widespread damage across several states, including Carabobo, Yaracuy, Aragua, Miranda, La Guaira, and the capital . Buildings collapsed in several Caracas neighborhoods, including Altamira and Los Palos Grandes, while the Maiquetía International Airport was closed due to severe structural damage . Power and internet outages affected many parts of the capital .
Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello confirmed the collapse of homes and buildings and urged residents to remain outside due to the risk of aftershocks . “We understand that some people may be desperate, but we are acting according to protocols to activate aid and rescue efforts to help those who need it most,” Cabello said on state television . Mayor Gustavo Duque of Chacao municipality reported the collapse of at least two buildings and the rescue of 18 people from the rubble .
The U.S. Geological Survey warned that casualties and extensive damage are probable, with a 44% chance of more than 10,000 fatalities and a 30% chance of more than 100,000 . The agency later revised its estimate of potential economic losses to between 1% and 5% of the country’s GDP . A brief tsunami warning issued for Venezuela, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands was canceled less than an hour later .
SOURCES / INPUTS
- Bernama: Venezuela declares state of emergency following earthquake – acting president
- CBC News: Venezuela hit by strong back-to-back earthquakes, prompting tsunami warning
- AP News: Back-to-back powerful earthquakes hit Venezuela, collapsing buildings in Caracas
- BBC News: Rescuers race to find survivors as Venezuela reels from massive quakes: Everything we know so far
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