At least 32 people have been killed and 700 others injured after two major earthquakes struck Venezuela in rapid succession on June 24, 2026, according to officials. The first tremor, a magnitude 7.1 earthquake, hit near the capital Caracas at approximately 6:14 PM local time. Just 39 seconds later, a more powerful magnitude 7.5 earthquake shook the South American nation, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported.
Casualties and Damage
Acting President Delcy Rodríguez confirmed the death toll and injury count in a statement reported by local media. The USGS had earlier warned that a high number of casualties and widespread damage were likely, with far-reaching consequences expected. Videos shared on social media captured vehicles shaking violently, smoke engulfing streets, and significant structural damage within buildings.
Rescue workers and devastated residents have been searching through debris for survivors, with reports indicating that people remain trapped beneath rubble. "It was horrible," said Olky Barrero, a 56-year-old teacher who joined the search efforts, according to the Guardian. "We hope to God that there are as few victims as possible. We're praying."
Eyewitness Accounts
Residents described the harrowing experience as the earthquakes struck. "The building really shook from side to side. Unreal. The force was incredibly strong," said Roberto Damas. "We were walking and it was tossing us around. Everything in the apartment fell. Well, thank God we were able to get out."
The tremors triggered panic in Caracas, according to AFP journalists, and were also felt in neighboring Colombia. Coastal areas of Venezuela initially feared a tsunami threat, but the US Tsunami Warning Centres confirmed that the threat has passed and there is no further danger.
Response and Aftermath
Emergency services are continuing rescue operations, with a focus on locating survivors trapped in collapsed buildings. The full extent of the damage is still being assessed, but the USGS had predicted high casualties and widespread destruction. The earthquakes are among the strongest to hit Venezuela in recent years, raising concerns about infrastructure resilience and disaster preparedness in the region.
