Venezuela:MNN
Two powerful earthquakes with magnitudes around 7.2 and 7.5 struck near Caracas on June 24, causing widespread destruction across the country.
The quakes, which hit within seconds of each other with epicenters in the San Felipe area of Yaracuy state, toppled buildings and inflicted major damage in Caracas and surrounding regions, including La Guaira. This event marks Venezuela’s deadliest earthquake disaster in over a century, surpassing previous records and severely worsening the country’s ongoing economic and humanitarian challenges.
Casualties have mounted rapidly. At least 235 people are confirmed dead, with more than 4,300 injured. Reports indicate thousands more are missing, with some tracking sites listing over 40,000 unaccounted for.
Authorities and experts expect the death toll to climb significantly higher as rescue teams work through collapsed structures and debris in hard-hit areas. Many survivors remain trapped or displaced, with limited shelter options after their homes were flattened.
Rescue efforts continued into the following days amid challenges posed by the scale of destruction and the nation’s strained infrastructure. The United States Geological Survey has warned of potentially extensive casualties and damage.
The back-to-back tremors, described as a “doublet,” represent the strongest to hit Venezuela since the early 20th century, leaving communities reeling and prompting a national state of emergency. International attention is focused on the humanitarian needs unfolding in the aftermath.
