Two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela on Wednesday, triggering one of the country's most devastating emergencies in recent years.
The official death toll stands at at least 164 people, with more than 970 injured, while search and rescue operations continue among collapsed buildings and severely damaged structures.
Why it matters: Authorities have declared a state of emergency due to the scale of the disaster. In addition to the casualties, the earthquakes caused extensive damage to infrastructure, homes, hospitals, and the country's main international airport.
The first earthquake struck at 6:04 p.m., according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).
The quake measured magnitude 7.2 and its epicenter was located near the city of San Felipe, in Yaracuy state, approximately 280 kilometers (174 miles) west of Caracas.
At least 164 people dead, 971 others injured following earthquakes in Venezuela, acting president says. More than 30,000 others reportedly missing, according to an online missing persons registry.
Helicopter footage from La Guaira: pic.twitter.com/g4a6MzhKes
— AZ Intel (@AZ_Intel_) June 25, 2026
Just 39 seconds later, a second earthquake struck.
This tremor was even stronger.
The USGS reported a magnitude of 7.5, with the epicenter located near the municipality of Yumare, farther north of the initial impact zone.
Venezuela's acting president, Delcy Rodríguez, said that Caracas, La Guaira, Miranda, Aragua, Carabobo, and Falcón were among the affected regions.
She also confirmed that more than 30 aftershocks had been recorded following the two major earthquakes.
The USGS warned that the disaster was likely to have widespread impacts.
The agency also cautioned that additional strong aftershocks remained possible.
During an update shortly after midnight, Rodríguez described the situation as «a true tragedy.»
She also expressed her condolences to families who lost loved ones.
UPDATE: Death toll from Venezuela earthquake rises to 164, more than 11,000 people reported missing pic.twitter.com/dqMjfzAJub
— BNO News Live (@BNODesk) June 25, 2026
Although the earthquakes were felt across nearly the entire country, La Guaira has been identified as the hardest-hit area.
On Thursday morning, Delcy Rodríguez updated the casualty figures.
However, she stressed that rescue operations remain ongoing.
The acting president also announced the creation of an initial $200 million emergency fund.
The funds will come from the International Monetary Fund.
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The money will be used to rebuild damaged infrastructure, hospitals, and homes.
Videos shared on social media showed buildings completely collapsing in Caracas and La Guaira.
The footage also captured injured people and scenes of widespread panic.
Photographs showed victims being rescued from the rubble wearing cervical collars.
Other images depicted people crying and embracing one another while waiting for news of missing relatives.
Chacao Mayor Gustavo Duque reported that one eight-story building and another 12-story building collapsed.
He also confirmed that authorities rescued 18 people alive from the debris.
Meanwhile, Baruta Mayor Darwin González reported that three people died after two buildings collapsed in his municipality.
Scenes of panic were also reported at Maiquetía International Airport during the earthquakes.
Videos showed dozens of people running as part of the ceiling appeared to give way and several light fixtures fell.
The acting president confirmed that the airport sustained severe structural damage.
As a result, the airport will remain closed.
Following the earthquakes, tsunami warnings were issued for Venezuela, Aruba, Bonaire, Puerto Rico, and the British Virgin Islands.
Those warnings were later canceled.
Wednesday was a national holiday in Venezuela commemorating the Battle of Carabobo.
As a result, more people were at home when the earthquakes struck.
Journalist Nicole Koster described it as the strongest earthquake she had ever experienced, according to the BBC .
She said she took shelter between her apartment's front door and a stone wall.
She also admitted she thought the building was going to collapse.
From a nearby building, she said she could hear people calling for help from beneath the rubble.
Another Caracas resident, María Alejandra, said that when she opened her door, a cloud of dust made it impossible to see.
She described the scene as «something out of a horror movie.»
She also said she had to make her way through debris alongside her neighbors, including a baby.
Odalis Escalona also described the damage to her apartment building.
She said the staircases detached, the walls cracked, and parts of the ceiling collapsed during the powerful Venezuela earthquakes.
