Strong Quakes Devastate Venezuela, Killing 32 and Injuring More Than 700

25/06/2026

CARACAS, Jun 25: At least 32 people have been killed and more than 700 injured after two powerful earthquakes struck northern Venezuela, triggering widespread destruction, collapsing buildings, and frantic rescue operations across several regions.

According to seismologists, a 7.2-magnitude foreshock struck near San Felipe in Yaracuy state, followed just 40 seconds later by a far stronger 7.5-magnitude mainshock southeast of Yumare. The earthquake sequence is being described as one of the most powerful ever recorded in Venezuela and the country's strongest seismic event in more than 125 years.

The main earthquake occurred at a shallow depth of about 10 kilometers, with its epicenter located west of the coastal town of Morón. The tremors were felt across much of the country, including the capital Caracas, where multiple buildings suffered severe damage or collapsed.

Emergency crews worked through the night searching for survivors trapped beneath rubble. Caracas Mayor Carmen Meléndez and Nicolás Maduro Guerra, son of President Nicolás Maduro, visited affected neighborhoods, overseeing rescue efforts and assistance operations.

In the Chacao municipality of Caracas, Mayor Gustavo Duque said several buildings collapsed, with rescuers pulling 18 survivors from one structure alone. He urged residents to move to open public spaces due to the risk of aftershocks.

Authorities reported additional damage in the coastal state of Falcón, where at least 22 people were injured and 15 adults remained missing, according to Governor Víctor Clark.

Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello confirmed that homes, residential buildings, and other structures had collapsed in multiple areas, adding that security forces, civil defense teams, and emergency services had been fully mobilized.

Rescue operations remain the top priority as authorities race against time to locate people trapped under debris. Officials warned that the casualty toll could rise as assessments continue in the hardest-hit areas.

The powerful earthquakes caused panic across northern Venezuela and prompted concerns over additional aftershocks, with emergency teams continuing search-and-rescue missions amid widespread destruction.