Largest earthquake since 1900 hits Venezuela, several feared dead
2 min readUpdated: Jun 25, 2026 07:33 AM IST
Venezuela was struck by two powerful earthquakes within minutes of each other on the intervening night of Wednesday and Thursday, causing damage in Caracas, the capital of Venezuela, and causing tsunami alerts across parts of the Caribbean.
According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), the first earthquake measured 7.1 in magnitude and struck near the coastal town of Morón, about 168 kilometres west of Caracas, along Venezuela’s Caribbean coast. The quake took place at a depth of 13 kilometres.
Just a minute later, a stronger 7.5 magnitude earthquake hit the same region. The second tremor was recorded at a depth of 10 kilometres, with its epicentre located roughly 16 kilometres southwest of Morón.
The back-to-back quakes, among the strongest to hit Venezuela in more than a century, saw residents rushing out of homes, offices and buildings. In Caracas, many structures sustained damage, with portions of buildings and walls collapsing. Dust clouds rose above parts of the city as debris fell onto streets below.
According to the news agency Associated Press, witnesses said people evacuated swaying buildings and gathered in open spaces. In some neighbourhoods, entire sections of walls collapsed, exposing furniture and interiors to public.
Venezuela earthquake casualties
Authorities had yet to release an official nationwide count of casualties, local officials and eyewitnesses reported collapsed buildings, ongoing rescue operations and a rising number of injured people, according to Reuters. Preliminary estimates suggested the death toll could range anywhere between 10,000 and 100,000, though officials cautioned that the full scale of the disaster was still being determined, Reuters reported.
The USGS said, “High casualties and extensive damage are probable and the disaster is likely widespread.”
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Tsunami alerts
Following the earthquakes, the US Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued tsunami alerts for the Virgin Islands, while authorities in the Dominican Republic also cautioned residents of possible sea-level disturbances. A precautionary alert issued for Puerto Rico was later lifted, as per AP reports.
Emergency teams were assessing the extent of the damage and monitoring aftershocks as authorities urged residents to stay alert.
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