7.1 and 7.5 magnitude quakes strike Venezuela causing what officials described as 'severe damage'

Published on

25/06/2026 - 6:28 GMT+2

Powerful back-to-back earthquakes struck Venezuela on Wednesday evening, causing widespread damage, collapsing buildings and sending panicked residents into the streets.

The 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes rocked the region, with buildings evacuated in cities as far away as Brazil’s Amazon, about 1,700 kilometres from the capital Caracas.

In a brief address to the nation late on Wednesday, acting-President Delcy Rodríguez said the earthquakes caused damages in several states, but did not give any figures on the number of homes and buildings affected, or on injuries and fatalities.

The earthquakes damaged the country’s main airport, Simón Bolívar International Airport, severely enough leading to its closure, she said, adding that school was being cancelled for several days to deal with the crisis at hand.

“We urge our population to remain calm,” Rodríguez said. “We urge unity.”

Rodríguez also asked all health care professionals in the country to report to hospitals to assist anyone who was injured. The Ministry of Education said some schools would be used as shelters and donation centres in the heavily affected regions.

In the coastal state of Falcon, Governor Víctor Clark said 32 people had been hospitalised and more than four hours after the earthquake there were still 15 people trapped underneath the rubble of collapsed buildings.

The US Geological Survey initially said the first earthquake had a magnitude of 7.1, later revising that figure to 7.2.

Its epicentre was west of the community of Morón, located along the country’s Caribbean coast, about 168 kilometres west of Caracas. The quake had a depth of 22 kilometres.

The agency later reported an even larger 7.5-magnitude earthquake just a minute after. The second quake had a depth of 10 kilometres and its epicentre was 16 kilometres southwest of Morón.

The quakes, among the strongest to strike the South American nation in more than a century, struck shortly after 6 pm local time. People evacuated swaying buildings in the capital Caracas, many visibly shocked as they saw entire walls that had collapsed, making furniture visible from the street.

Dust columns could also be seen in two neighbourhoods of the capital, where restaurants and other businesses are typically busy.

People remained on the streets for hours, even after sunset. Some sat on the ground hugging their pets as dust gathered around them. Collapsed buildings, toppled electric poles and debris blocked streets. Parts of the capital lost power and cell phone reception.

“It started off gently and then gradually grew, and in the end, we all had to leave our houses, go outside and gather together,” said Hector Ricci, a Caracas resident.

Rodríguez, who declared a state of emergency, said subway and natural gas services in the capital were suspended. She also urged Venezuelans to report any damages through a government app to be timely addressed by officials.