Venezuela Earthquake Update: Death Toll Rises to 164 as Rescue Efforts Intensify After Twin Quakes
CARACAS — June 25, 2026 — The death toll from Wednesday evening’s twin earthquakes in Venezuela has risen to at least 164, with nearly 1,000 injured, as rescue teams race against time to find survivors trapped beneath collapsed buildings in the hardest-hit areas . Acting President Delcy Rodríguez has declared a nationwide state of emergency and designated the coastal state of La Guaira a “disaster zone” due to the extent of the destruction .
The back-to-back earthquakes, measuring magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5, struck less than a minute apart shortly after 6 p.m. local time on June 24. The second tremor, the strongest to hit Venezuela in over a century, came just 39 seconds after the initial quake, a rare “doublet” phenomenon that amplified the devastation . The epicenters were located near the town of Morón, about 168 kilometers west of Caracas .
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Rescue Efforts and Hardest-Hit Areas
The state of La Guaira, a port city north of Caracas, has suffered the worst destruction, with over 100 buildings collapsed according to the United Nations . Residents described the scene as resembling a “horror movie,” with entire structures reduced to rubble . In the capital, at least three large buildings collapsed in the Altamira district, including a 22-story building nearly completely destroyed .
Rescue operations are being hampered by the risk of further collapses, localized power outages, and communication disruptions. Acting President Rodríguez urged the private sector to provide heavy machinery for rescue operations and asked the public to remain calm while authorities mobilized all resources . The earthquake caused damage to several hospitals and paralyzed public transportation. Simón Bolívar International Airport in Maiquetía has been closed due to severe structural damage .
International Response and Reconstruction
The United States has deployed search and rescue teams from Fairfax County, Virginia, and Los Angeles, with additional teams expected to follow . U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that Washington is providing overhead imagery and running aid flights to support relief efforts . International rescue teams from Mexico, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, and Qatar are also en route .
The Venezuelan government has established an initial $200 million reconstruction fund using resources held at the International Monetary Fund . Acting President Rodríguez stated that the fund would be used to rebuild infrastructure, hospitals, and housing for those who lost their homes .
The U.S. Geological Survey previously warned that casualties and extensive damage were probable, with a 44% chance of more than 10,000 fatalities based on computer models . However, the updated official toll stands at 164 dead and 971 injured, though officials caution that the number could rise as rescue teams reach isolated areas . More than 30 aftershocks have been recorded since the initial tremors, threatening further collapses .
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