Venezuela earthquake today: At least 164 dead and 971 injured after strong earthquakes that struck Venezuela

At least 164 people have died and more than 970 others have been injured following the two earthquakes that struck Venezuela, interim President Delcy Rodriguez said Thursday.

The death toll is expected to continue to rise and Rodriguez declared a state of emergency, closing schools and airports following the successive tremors, which occurred within a minute of each other.

Emergency responders and firefighters clean the rubble of the destroyed San Juan Tadeo building in the El Paraiso urban development complex in Caracas. Edelzon Gamez/Getty Images

Dozens of buildings collapsed, with the coastal state of La Guaira being the worst hit and now declared a disaster zone, Rodriguez said in a video message.

“We are currently engaged in grueling rescue operations to save as many lives as God allows,” she said. “This is truly a tragedy.”

The 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes on Wednesday evening (Thursday morning AEST) were the strongest to hit the country in more than a century and could be felt across the region.

Buildings were evacuated as far away as the Brazilian Amazon, about 1,700 kilometers from the Venezuelan capital, Caracas.

While Venezuela is located near multiple fault lines, its location straddling the South American and Caribbean plates makes strong earthquakes much less common than in other parts of Latin America.

Television footage on Thursday showed rescue workers using power tools to pick their way through piles of rubble.

A rescue worker carries an injured man after an earthquake in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, June 24, 2026. AP Photo/Ariana Cubios

It seems that many of the people searching for missing persons are ordinary people, not professionals. Collapsed buildings, fallen power poles and debris blocked the streets.

Footage broadcast on state television showed three children, covered in dust but alive, being pulled from the rubble in La Guaira state, which Rodriguez described as a “disaster zone” and one of the areas most affected by the earthquakes due to the large number of collapsed buildings.

Rodriguez said authorities were transporting rescue teams from other parts of the country to La Guaira, which is located north of Caracas on the coast.

She added that officials are trying to make the most of daylight hours to speed up rescue efforts for people believed to be still trapped under the rubble.

“Dozens of buildings have collapsed there… and we are currently conducting intensive rescue operations to save lives,” Rodriguez said.

The first quake, initially measuring 7.1, struck just after 6pm on Wednesday (8am Thursday AEST), according to the US Geological Survey.

People remain outside their homes following the earthquake that struck Caracas, Venezuela, Thursday, June 25, 2026. AP Photo/Ariana Cubios

The epicenter of the earthquake was west of the town of Moron, about 168 kilometers from the capital, Caracas, which was hit by a severe earthquake.

The US Geological Survey said the earthquake occurred at a depth of about 13.2 kilometers.

A second 7.5-magnitude earthquake occurred just 45 seconds later, 16 kilometers southwest of Moron, at a depth of about 10 kilometers.

The USGS explained that the smaller quake was a “foreshock,” while the latter was a “mainshock” — creating a “double” earthquake.

The effects of this have been felt in multiple states in Venezuela, and even as far away as Colombia.

Rescue workers search through rubble after earthquakes in Caracas, Venezuela. AP

Appearing on state television, Rodriguez said Simón Bolívar Airport in Maiquetía, near Caracas, was closed due to damage.

A video allegedly filmed at the airport showed people in the terminal screaming and running away as the building shook.

CNN reported that residents in Caracas were seen evacuating buildings and gathering in the street, while videos showed destroyed walls across the city.

Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello told state television that some buildings had collapsed in the city.

“We understand that some people may be desperate, but we are acting in accordance with protocols to activate relief and rescue efforts to help those most in need,” Cabello said.

“Be very careful with children and the elderly, call each other and make sure no one gets hurt.”

The effects have been felt in multiple states in Venezuela, and even as far away as Colombia. AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos

He also urged people to stay outside because aftershocks could cause further damage to some buildings.

The US Geological Survey estimated that there was an almost certain chance that more than 1,000 people would die from earthquakes of this size.

On its website, it estimated a 44 percent chance of between 10,000 and 100,000 casualties.

In addition, Venezuela’s estimated economic loss ranged between 2% and 20% of the country’s GDP.

It is understood that these are only estimates based on the magnitude and location of the earthquakes.

Many parts of the country have now experienced power outages, limited phone coverage, and gas outages, with security forces deployed to respond to emergencies.

“The building actually shook from side to side. Unreal. The force was incredibly strong,” Caracas resident Roberto Damas said.

“We were walking, and the storm was throwing us around. Everything in the apartment fell. Everything in the apartment fell.”

“Well, thank God we made it out.”

Several buildings collapsed, while images from Caracas showed rescue workers searching through piles of rubble. AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos

Several buildings collapsed, while images from Caracas showed rescue workers searching through piles of rubble.

The US-based National Tsunami Warning Center posted on X that there is no tsunami threat in the United States, but an advisory warning has been issued for the area.

The center said tsunami waves were likely to occur along coasts within 300 kilometers of the epicenter, including Venezuela, Bonaire, Curacao and Aruba, while there was a potential threat to Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

This warning has since been cancelled, with the US center saying that “there was no warning, warning, monitoring or threat of the tsunami.”

The epicenter of the first earthquake was about 28 kilometers from the municipality of Montalban, home to some of Venezuela’s largest oil refineries.

Strong earthquakes are unusual in Venezuela.

While the country is located near multiple fault lines, its location straddling the South American and Caribbean plates makes earthquakes much less common than in other parts of Latin America.

Along the Pacific coast – in Mexico and Chile, for example – earthquakes are frequent; The two countries lie along a seismically active tectonic belt known as the Pacific Ring of Fire, which is responsible for 90 percent of earthquakes, according to the US Geological Survey.

Expressions of support posted on social media

Reactions quickly poured in on social media.

Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, who is living in exile after leaving the country in December, headed to X to pray.

“May strength, serenity and solidarity prevail among us in the face of this difficult time,” she wrote on the X website.

US President Donald Trump also expressed his support for Venezuela on his social media platform.

The US Geological Survey estimated that there was an almost certain chance that more than 1,000 people would die from earthquakes of this size. AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos

“The United States is ready, willing, and able to help!” Trump wrote.

“We will be there for our new and great friends.”

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong also shared her condolences online.

“Our thoughts are with the people of Venezuela, the Australian-Venezuelan community and all those affected by the devastating earthquakes in Venezuela.

“We send our deepest condolences in the wake of this horrific tragedy,” she wrote.

Elderly people sitting outside damaged buildings. AP Photo/Adrian Naranjo

Australia issues travel warning

The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade continues to advise Australians against traveling to Venezuela.

It also warned that Australia’s ability to provide consular assistance in Venezuela is “very limited” as it has no embassy or consulate in the country.

Travelers are urged to check with their airlines as airports may be closed, monitor local media, follow the advice of local authorities and avoid affected areas.

– Reported by the Associated Press and CNN.

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