Double earthquake in Venezuela kills at least 235, injures 4,300

A rare seismic doublet struck northern Venezuela on 24 June 2026, killing at least 235 people and injuring around 4,300. The state of La Guaira bore the brunt of the destruction, with authorities warning thousands may still be trapped under rubble. International rescue teams from across the world are converging on the disaster zone.

Two powerful earthquakes struck northern Venezuela in rapid succession on 24 June 2026, killing at least 235 people and injuring approximately 4,300 others, according to Venezuelan Health Minister Carlos Alvarado. Rescuers and local residents are still searching for survivors beneath collapsed buildings more than a day after the disaster.

A 'Seismic Doublet' Strikes

The two tremors hit just 39 seconds apart. The first was recorded at 18:04 local time, with its epicentre located 24 kilometres east of the city of San Felipe in northwestern Venezuela, at a depth of 21.9 kilometres. The second, stronger quake struck several kilometres further north, near the city of Morón on the Caribbean coast, roughly 168 kilometres from the capital Caracas, at a shallow depth of only about 10 kilometres. The US Geological Survey measured the magnitudes at 7.2 and 7.5 respectively. The US National Tsunami Warning Center described the event as a "seismic doublet," a rare phenomenon in which two high-magnitude earthquakes occur within seconds of each other in the same fault zone.

Seismologists have noted this was the most powerful earthquake to hit Venezuela in 125 years, underscoring the exceptional nature of the disaster.

Scale of the Destruction

The coastal state of La Guaira suffered the worst damage. It is home to Caracas's international airport and a major seaport, both now severely disrupted. Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello, who travelled to the devastated areas, announced a large-scale rescue operation and pledged deliveries of water and food. He warned that more than 70,000 families in La Guaira alone had been affected.

Authorities fear thousands of people may still be buried under rubble. In many areas, rescue efforts are hampered by a lack of personnel and heavy machinery. Local media report widespread power and water outages, as well as looting at shops in affected communities.

Caracas's international airport remains closed due to severe structural damage, complicating the delivery of international aid.

International Aid Mobilised

Acting President Delcy Rodríguez declared a state of emergency and announced that UN-coordinated rescue teams are en route to Venezuela.

International assistance has already begun to arrive. A contingent of 188 rescue specialists from El Salvador was among the first to reach the country. The United States dispatched two naval vessels and transport aircraft to support rescue and humanitarian operations. German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius announced that the Bundeswehr is prepared to send six A400M transport aircraft, while around 50 specialists from Germany's Technical Relief Agency (THW) flew to the disaster zone on 26 June aboard a Bundeswehr aircraft.

French President Emmanuel Macron pledged to deploy a team of 85 search-and-rescue specialists to Venezuela. Switzerland is sending 80 rescuers along with eight search dogs, as well as 18 tonnes of humanitarian supplies by air, according to the Swiss Foreign Ministry in Bern. The European Union also promised assistance.