At least 32 killed, more than 700 injured in Venezuela earthquakes

Mangalore Today News Network

Venezuela, Jun 25, 2026: At least 32 people have been killed and more than 700 injured after two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela on Thursday, Interim President Delcy Rodriguez said, according to the Associated Press. Meanwhile, rescue workers continued searching through collapsed buildings for survivors.

Authorities have warned that the death toll is expected to rise as emergency teams reach more affected areas.

According to Reuters, the first earthquake, measuring magnitude 7.2, struck about 160 kilometres (100 miles) west of Caracas. Less than a minute later, a second, stronger magnitude 7.5 tremor shook the region, causing widespread destruction in and around the Venezuelan capital.

The US Geological Survey (USGS) warned that the disaster could have severe humanitarian consequences.

“High casualties and extensive damage are probable, and the disaster is likely widespread," the USGS said, initially estimating the death toll would most likely range between 10,000 and 100,000.

Rodriguez declared a state of emergency and sought financial assistance from multilateral organisations to support relief and reconstruction efforts.

Reuters reported that emergency crews worked through the evening after multiple buildings collapsed in Caracas, while distraught families gathered near damaged structures, hoping for news of relatives believed to be trapped beneath the rubble.

Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello said authorities had mobilised all available resources to respond to the disaster.

“We have buildings, homes and houses which have collapsed, and we are taking care of things with everything we have available in terms of security, civil assistance," Cabello said on state television.

In Caracas’ Chacao municipality, Mayor Gustavo Duque said several buildings had collapsed following the earthquakes.

He said rescue teams had already pulled 18 survivors from one damaged structure and urged residents to move to public plazas and open spaces because of the risk of aftershocks.

“We’re going to do everything we can to rescue the most people possible," Duque said.

Elsewhere, Governor Victor Clark said 22 people had been injured in the coastal state of Falcon, while search operations continued for 15 missing adults.

The earthquakes struck during a public holiday marking an 1821 military victory that helped secure Venezuela’s independence from Spain, meaning many residents were inside their homes when the ground began shaking.

Hospitals in Caracas began preparing for a large influx of casualties.

Reuters reported that staff at Hospital de Clinicas were asked to double the night shift to help treat the injured.

Rodriguez also said Venezuela’s largest airport at Maiquetia had been closed after sustaining damage, while authorities cancelled classes for the remainder of the week as officials assessed the scale of the destruction.

Venezuela’s oil infrastructure did not appear to have suffered immediate damage, although energy companies began accounting for employees and inspecting facilities.

A tsunami warning issued by the US Tsunami Warning System for Puerto Rico and the US and British Virgin Islands following the earthquakes was withdrawn about an hour later.