Venezuela Earthquake Live Updates: US promises ‘big, fast & effective’ help after twin quakes
Rescue workers search through the rubble after an earthquake in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Javier Campos)
As the death toll reached 164 following two devastating earthquakes in Venezuela, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio pledged support to the country. Speaking to the media, he said the US response to the earthquakes will be “big, it’ll be fast, and it’ll be effective”, the BBC reported.
Meanwhile, Acting President Delcy Rodriguez said there were 30 aftershocks following the two major earthquakes. She also announced to build a $200 million fund with IMF resources to rebuild infrastructure, hospitals and housing.
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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.
World leaders offer support: World leaders, including US President Donald Trump, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and others have offered their support to Venezuela and condolences to the families of those who died in the twin earthquakes.
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.
105 mi
West of Caracas (170 km)
<1 min
Between the two quakes
100+
Years — strongest in over a century
164+
Confirmed dead
971
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 one of the worst-affected areas. Acting President Delcy Rodríguez called it a “disaster zone” with dozens of buildings collapsed, and said rescue teams were being shifted there to free people still trapped. Three children were pulled alive from the rubble. The toll is expected to rise.
A rare rescue
Three children, covered in dust but alive, were pulled from the rubble in La Guaira, state TV footage showed.
Caracas
Buildings collapsed across the Baruta, Chacao and Altamira districts; residents fled into the streets and many spent the night outdoors.
Main airport closed
Simón Bolívar International Airport was damaged and shut, with one runway cracked — complicating incoming aid flights.
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.
$200M
Reconstruction fund for hospitals & homes
12+
Countries offering aid
International response
Offers pour in as rescue efforts continue
Offers of help poured in from around the world as rescue crews began arriving. Venezuela declared a state of emergency and announced a $200 million reconstruction fund, while UN-certified search-and-rescue teams headed to the country and Rodríguez coordinated the incoming aid.
United States
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington is deploying search-and-rescue teams, medical resources and humanitarian aid in a “whole of government” response.
Already on the ground
Qatar, Mexico and El Salvador have sent rescue personnel and Ecuador ordered humanitarian aid; other nations across the region pledged support.
“We will have a whole of government response. It will be big. It will be fast. It will be effective.”
— Marco Rubio, U.S. Secretary of State, speaking in Bahrain
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. On Thursday, scores took to social media seeking missing loved ones, posting photos and last-known locations.
“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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