Venezuela rocked by 7.5, 7.2 earthquakes: What happened and what we know

Published 25 June 2026 · health

Venezuela declares a state of emergency after powerful twin quakes cause widespread damage and rescue efforts. Venezuela has declared a state of emergency after two

Venezuela declares a state of emergency after powerful twin quakes cause widespread damage and rescue efforts. Venezuela has declared a state of emergency after two back-to-back earthquakes of magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5 struck, killing at least 32 people. A major search and rescue operation is under way after Wednesday’s quakes caused widespread damage, especially in the capital, Caracas. Recommended Stories list of 1 item list 1 of 1 Venezuela declares emergency after powerful quakes kill 32, injure hundreds end of list Emergency crews are searching through the rubble of collapsed buildings while authorities closed the country’s main airport in Caracas, suspended classes and mobilised health workers to respond to the disaster. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) warned that “high casualties and extensive damage are probable”, and US President Donald Trump said the quakes – some of the strongest in more than a century – caused “a devastating number of deaths”. Here is what we know What happened in Venezuela? Venezuela was struck by the quakes about 6:04pm (22:04 GMT) on Wednesday as it was marking a national holiday commemorating the 1821 Battle of Carabobo. The government declared a state of emergency as emergency crews responded to widespread damage.

In a televised address, acting President Delcy Rodriguez urged doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers to report immediately to hospitals and clinics to help treat the injured. Reporting from Bogota in neighbouring Colombia, Al Jazeera’s Teresa Bo said the worst damage was reported in Caracas, particularly in the Altamira district, where emergency crews rescued survivors from the rubble of a 22-storey building as relatives searched for missing loved ones. Authorities said the full extent of the damage is still being assessed. What do we know about the victims and the death toll? Rodriguez said at least 32 people have been killed and about 700 injured in the quakes, which were followed by nearly two dozen aftershocks. Authorities have not yet released a breakdown of the victims by age, gender or location, and officials said the figures are expected to rise as search and rescue operations continue. The Altamira and El Paraiso neighbourhoods of Caracas are the worst affected. Damage has also been reported in La Guaira and other parts of central Venezuela. The USGS warned that the death toll could rise significantly because many buildings in the affected region are made from unreinforced brick masonry and adobe, which are particularly vulnerable during strong earthquakes.