Buildings collapse after major earthquakes hit Venezuela

The United States Geological Survey said high casualties and extensive damage are probable in Venezuela after two strong earthquakes rattled the capital and surrounding regions.

https://p.dw.com/p/5G1FI

Rescuers search for victims in a collapsed building following an earthquake in Caracas on June 24, 2026
Back-to-back quakes rattle VenezuelaImage: Manaure Quintero/AFP

Skip next section What you need to know

What you need to know

  • Central Venezuela was shaken by two earthquakes, one with a magnitude 7.2 and the other with a magnitude 7.5
  • Extensive damage reported in the capital, Caracas
  • High casualties are probable, USGS says
  • Tremors also felt in neighboring Colombia

Follow along for the latest news out of Venezuela on Wednesday, June 24:

Skip next section ‘High casualties’ likely in Venezuela, USGS says06/25/2026June 25, 2026

‘High casualties’ likely in Venezuela, USGS says

Strong earthquakes brought buildings down in Caracas. 

“High casualties and extensive damage are probable, and the disaster is likely widespread,” the US Geological Survey (USGS) said.

The USGS said, based on data from the types of structures common in the area, that there was a 44% chance that fatalities will exceed 10,000.

Venezuelan authorities did not immediately provide estimates of deaths or injuries.

On state television, Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello announced that some buildings had been brought down and houses had collapsed in Caracas.

https://p.dw.com/p/5G1FQSkip next section What we know so far about the quakes in Venezuela06/25/2026June 25, 2026

What we know so far about the quakes in Venezuela

Dmytro Hubenko | Roshni Majumdar Editor

A 7.2-magnitude earthquake shook Venezuela on Wednesday evening, swaying buildings and homes in the capital of Caracas.

According to the United States Geological Survey, the earthquake’s epicenter was located about 17 miles (28 kilometers) west of the community of Moron, located along the country’s Caribbean coast, about 104 miles from Caracas.

The quake had a depth of 13 kilometers.

A second, even larger earthquake measuring 7.5 magnitude hit the same area just 39 seconds after the first quake. The second quake had a depth of 10 kilometers.

Follow along.

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