At least 164 people have died and around 700 others have been injured after two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela, causing widespread destruction in and around the capital Caracas, according to interim President Delcy Rodriguez.
The earthquakes hit at around 6 p.m. local time on Wednesday, with a magnitude 7.2 quake followed less than a minute later by a magnitude 7.5 tremor, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).
The shocks caused buildings to collapse, trapped residents under rubble and triggered emergency rescue operations across affected areas.
People stand near destroyed buildings after an earthquake, in La Guaira, Venezuela, June 25, 2026. REUTERS/Maxwell Briceno TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
Rescue teams search collapsed buildings
Emergency workers continued searching through debris as authorities assessed the extent of the damage.
@aljazeeraenglish A strong earthquake strikes #Venezuela, ♬ original sound – Al Jazeera English
Rodriguez said the initial death toll did not include victims from La Guaira state, near Caracas and home to the capital’s airport, suggesting the number of casualties could rise further.
“Dozens of buildings have collapsed, and we are currently carrying out very intense rescue efforts to save as many lives as God allows us to save,” Rodriguez said in a televised address.
The USGS warned that the final death toll could be significantly higher, using predictive modelling that indicated fatalities could reach the thousands, with a substantial possibility of exceeding 10,000.
A missing persons tracking website listed more than 10,000 people as unaccounted for during the early stages of the response.
Residents describe scenes of panic
Many Venezuelans were at home when the earthquakes struck during a public holiday, causing thousands to rush into the streets as buildings shook.
Residents described chaotic scenes as people searched for relatives and waited for updates.
A video from northern Venezuela showed the moment a building collapsed as dust and debris filled the area, while emergency crews worked through the wreckage.
Aftershocks continued following the main quakes, keeping residents on alert.
Venezuela launches recovery efforts
Rodriguez announced that an initial $200 million fund would be created using resources from the International Monetary Fund to support the rebuilding of infrastructure, hospitals and housing.
The Caracas stock exchange suspended trading on Thursday as part of the emergency response and said it would assess damage to its facilities and the safety of employees.
It also announced plans to turn its headquarters into a collection centre for supplies including food, water, medical items and other essentials for affected communities.
@rafaelnoticiasve Un fuerte movimiento telúrico fue reportado la tarde de este miércoles con epicentro cercano a San Felipe, estado Yaracuy. Usuarios en distintas zonas de Venezuela y otros países de la región compartieron en redes sociales que lograron percibir el temblor. Hasta el momento, las autoridades continúan evaluando la situación y se espera información oficial sobre la magnitud y posibles afectaciones. #Venezuela #Sismo #Temblor #UltimaHora #Noticias ♬ sonido original – Rafaelnoticias
US mobilizes aid and rescue support
The United States said it was coordinating with Venezuelan authorities and preparing assistance after the disaster.
Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau said Washington was “mobilizing assistance” and described the earthquakes as devastating.
The U.S. State Department said it had activated a disaster assistance team and task force to coordinate support, including search and rescue teams, medical supplies and humanitarian resources.
@apnews
Powerful 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes slammed Venezuela on Wednesday evening, collapsing buildings in the capital of Caracas and leaving residents shaken.
♬ original sound – The Associated Press
“The U.S. will be sending search and rescue teams, medical and humanitarian supplies and other resources in the crucial first days after this tragic natural disaster,” State Department official Jeremy Lewin said.
The U.S. embassy in Caracas said all American personnel had been accounted for.
Damage assessment continues
The earthquakes struck near San Felipe, west of Caracas, according to USGS data.
Authorities continued rescue efforts while assessing damage across the country, with officials warning that the full impact of the disaster may not yet be known.
