Twin Earthquakes Devastate Venezuela; At Least 32 Dead and Hundreds Injured

A catastrophic state of emergency has been declared in Venezuela after two massive back-to-back earthquakes struck the country's Caribbean coast.

The powerful twin tremors-measuring magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5-caused widespread destruction, forcing the closure of the nation's main international airport and leaving at least 32 people dead and more than 700 injured.

Interim President Delcy Rodríguez announced the casualties during a late-night address to the nation, noting that official figures are expected to rise as data continues to arrive from the hardest-hit regions, including La Guaira near the capital.

Widespread Destruction and Panic in Caracas
The earthquakes struck shortly after 6:00 PM, triggering immediate panic across the capital city of Caracas and sending terrified residents rushing into the streets. The structural violence of the quakes caused numerous buildings to crumble, collapsing entire walls and exposing the interiors of homes to the streets.

In the immediate aftermath, parts of the capital lost electricity and cellular service, deepening the distress of families trying to contact loved ones both within the country and among the millions in the Venezuelan diaspora. The severe structural damage also forced authorities to completely shut down Simón Bolívar International Airport and suspend school classes for several days. Acting President Rodríguez urged citizens to remain calm and unified, while explicitly calling on all healthcare professionals across the nation to report to hospitals to assist with the influx of patients.

Venezuelas interim leader declares a state of emergency as two massive earthquakes caused buildings in the capital to crumble and forced the closure of the countrys main airporthttps://t.co/VEzL7XkGP2 pic.twitter.com/6NrHR9VuGE

— AFP News Agency (@AFP) June 25, 2026

Beyond the capital, the impacts were felt severely in Falcón state, where Governor Víctor Clark reported that dozens were hospitalized and multiple individuals remained trapped beneath rubble hours after the event. The tremors were so powerful that buildings were evacuated as far away as the Brazilian Amazon, roughly 1,700 kilometers (1,050 miles) from the epicenter.

Seismological Impact and Aftershocks
According to data provided by the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the two historic quakes hit just one minute apart, making them some of the strongest seismic events to strike Venezuela in over a century.

Emergency services rescue an injured person from a collapsed building in the San Bernardino sector of Caracas, after two earthquakes of magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 struck the same area of Venezuela pic.twitter.com/rRFLNojqa8

— AFP News Agency (@AFP) June 25, 2026

The first quake, a magnitude 7.2, struck at a depth of 22 kilometers with its epicenter just west of the coastal community of Morón. It was immediately followed by a shallower, 7.5-magnitude earthquake originating only 10 kilometers deep and just southwest of Morón. Seismologists have recorded at least 20 significant aftershocks radiating through the region since the initial twin disasters.

International Aid and Global Response
As Venezuela grapples with the unfolding humanitarian crisis, international support has begun to mobilize. US President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that the United States "stands ready, willing, and able to help," noting that he has already instructed federal agencies to prepare a rapid response.

In a series of statements shared across social media and Facebook, Interim President Rodríguez expressed her gratitude to President Trump for remaining in constant contact with Venezuelan authorities. She also extended formal thanks to other international leaders who have offered solidarity and support, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chilean President José Antonio Kast.

With inputs from agencies