Venezuela Earthquake Live Updates: Airport, metro services shut as search for survivors intensifies
Rescue workers search through the rubble after an earthquake in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Javier Campos)
At least 32 people were killed and hundreds injured in Venezuela after two back-to-back powerful earthquakes rocked the country on Wednesday evening. A state of emeregency was announced after the twin quakes and about a dozen aftershocks jolted many states, collapsing several buildings in the capital city of Caracas and elsewhere.
The first quake was of a magnitude of 7.1, and its epicentre was west of the community of Moron, about 168 km west of Caracas, at a depth of 13 km, the US Geological Survey (USGS) said. An even larger 7.5-magnitude earthquake took place just minutes later. This second one was situated at a depth of 10 km, and its epicentre was 16 km southwest of Moron. Swaying buildings in Caracas were evacuated. Entire walls of certain buildings collapsed, making furniture visible from the street. Tsunami alerts were issued for Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
Earthquake jolts Japan: Meanwhile, another earthquake of magnitude 7 hit Japan, jolting Hashikami Town, Aomori Prefecture. Its epicenter was off the coast of Iwate Prefecture. Following this, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi advised citizens to stay vigilant and instructed relevant agencies to give out timely and accurate information to the public regarding evacuation and damage. However, she ruled out any concerns about a tsunami.
The event
Two of the strongest quakes in over a century — in one minute
The first quake struck the Caribbean coast on the evening of June 24, 2026. The U.S. Geological Survey initially measured it at 7.1, then revised it to 7.2. An even larger 7.5-magnitude quake followed less than a minute later, with its epicentre near the town of Morón.
104 mi
West of Caracas (168 km)
<1 min
Between the two quakes
100+
Years — strongest in over a century
32+
Confirmed dead
700+
Injured
Hardest hit
La Guaira: a coastal “disaster zone”
La Guaira — the coastal state about 30 km north of Caracas, home to the country’s main airport — is the worst-affected area. Acting President Delcy Rodríguez called it a “disaster zone” with dozens of buildings collapsed. Its casualties are not yet included in the national toll, which is expected to rise.
Baruta district
Three people killed after two buildings collapsed, the district mayor said.
Chacao district
One person killed and four buildings completely collapsed, Mayor Gustavo Duque said.
Altamira neighbourhood
Homes and buildings collapsed, Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello said.
Brazil’s Amazon
Buildings evacuated in Manaus, Belém and Macapá, about 1,700 km away.
Colombia
Felt across the Caribbean and northeast regions — no damage or injuries reported.
Tsunami alert
The U.S. Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued alerts that were quickly lifted.
The science
Off the Ring of Fire — so big quakes are unusual
Venezuela sits where the Caribbean and South American tectonic plates meet, but it lies away from the Pacific “Ring of Fire” — the belt the USGS says is responsible for 90% of the world’s earthquakes. That makes powerful quakes here far rarer than along the Pacific coast in Mexico or Chile.
The planet’s crust is broken into tectonic plates that grind past, pull away from, or push into one another. Venezuela straddles the seam between two of them — most of the time it moves slowly, but a sudden slip can release enormous energy as an earthquake.
1812 — Mérida & Caracas
A devastating quake killed an estimated 30,000 people, according to the USGS.
1967 — Caracas
A deadly magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck the capital.
June 24, 2026 — now
Back-to-back M7.2 and M7.5 quakes — among the strongest to hit Venezuela in more than a century.
11
Countries offering aid
Hours
Within which offers began
International response
Offers pour in as rescue efforts continue
At least 11 governments offered help within hours. Acting President Delcy Rodríguez said she instructed the foreign ministry to coordinate the offers as rescue crews from other countries began to arrive.
United States
Undersecretary of State Jeremy P. Lewin mobilised a disaster-assistance team and task force; President Trump posted an offer of help.
Latin America & the Caribbean
Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, El Salvador, Mexico, Panama, Uruguay and the Dominican Republic pledged support.
“We send you all our solidarity and our prayers. Stay strong, Venezuela.”
— Nayib Bukele, President of El Salvador, on X · June 24, 2026
7.7M+
Have left Venezuela during its crisis
Blackout
Power & phone signal lost in parts
Beyond the borders
Families abroad cut off from loved ones
The loss of phone signal in parts of Venezuela deepened the distress of many families — a fear sharpened for the more than 7.7 million people who have fled the country during its protracted crisis and could not reach relatives back home.
“May strength, serenity, and solidarity prevail among us in the face of this difficult time.”
— María Corina Machado, opposition leader, in exile since December
Sources: Associated Press · Reuters · U.S. Geological Survey
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