Two Powerful Earthquakes Strike Venezuela, Triggering Widespread Collapse And Fears Of Mass Casualties

Caracus: Two powerful earthquakes struck off Venezuela's coast on Wednesday night. They both came one minute apart. The first measured 7.2 magnitude and the second one was 7.5. Both hit near the coastal town of Morón, about 168 kilometers west of Caracas. The first quake was 22 kilometers deep. The second struck at just 10 kilometers depth. This made it more destructive because buildings fell apart and people ran out of their homes. The ground shook so hard that walls caved in. Dust clouds rose from collapsed structures.

Where it hit?

The tremors were felt far away. Evacuations happened in cities 1,700 kilometers away in Brazil's Amazon region. The earthquakes were among the strongest to hit Venezuela in over 100 years. The U.S. Geological Survey says thousands could be dead. But the government has not given any official number yet.

Is Caracas in chaos?

In Caracas, people rushed out of swaying buildings. Videos show residents grabbing their bags and running. Hours passed before any death count came out.
Acting President Delcy Rodríguez said she would address the nation but she delayed. Opposition leaders and worried residents wanted answers but no any official information came. People stayed outside after dark and they feared aftershocks. Fallen power poles blocked roads. Power was out in some areas and mobile phone service went down.

⚡️More terrifying videos now coming out of Venezuela after a 7.1 Magnitude earthquake struck the country pic.twitter.com/gwTUZNNRw3

— War Monitor (@WarMonitors) June 25, 2026

How airport turned into panic?

The chaos at the main airport was caught on video. When the earthquakes hit, passengers ran out of the terminal carrying luggage. The building shook, lights went off. and dust filled the air. Others took cover inside and hid under food counters. People stayed there while the ground moved beneath them.

Earthquake in Venezuela Disrupts Operations at Caracas Airport

Following the earthquake off the coast of Venezuela, brief panic was reported at Simón Bolívar International Airport in Caracas. Videos shared on social media showed passengers moving away from the terminal as a… pic.twitter.com/gSIpneF60I

— AirwayBuzz (@AirwayBuzz) June 25, 2026

What the damage looks like?

Videos from homes across the country show the force of the quakes. A living room video shows furniture moving. A vase fell off a table and a TV on the wall shook. Everything moved back and forth. In some neighborhoods, buildings were reduced to rubble. Debris covered streets and entire structures just came down.

One of the most striking videos from today's Venezuela earthquake shows an elderly couple holding hands as they experience the entire quake inside their home. pic.twitter.com/5U1x1uFQWY

— Liaqat H. 🇪🇸🇦🇷 (@Edwardian842) June 25, 2026

How government act?

Acting President Delcy Rodríguez declared a state of emergency. The government shut down the main airport. The damage was too extensive to keep it open but the delay in releasing information frustrated people. Opposition leader María Corina Machado called for unity. She said Venezuelans must stay together and stay strong.

Just terrible sights from the air in La Guira, dozens of buildings collapsed and damaged..#Venezuela #Earthquake pic.twitter.com/cUmMRHDabi

— Mr ashen (@TheOfficialMrA1) June 25, 2026

What had happened?

The first earthquake hit at 22 kilometers depth about 168 kilometers west of Caracas. The second, stronger quake followed one minute later. Its epicenter was southwest of Morón. Both quakes were near the coast. This is why they were felt so far away. The strength and shallow depth of the second quake made it even more dangerous.

What happened to mobile signals and electricity current?

Mobile phone service stopped working in some places. Roads were blocked by fallen poles and debris. Traffic was impossible in parts of the capital.
People could not call for help and so could not get information. They did not know if loved ones were safe.

The wait for an official news?

Hours after the earthquakes, no official death count came out. Acting President Rodríguez did not speak right away so the people were scared and angry.
The USGS estimates said that deaths could be in the thousands but Venezuela's government would not confirm any numbers initially. This made the situation worse. Later, 164 death and 971 injuries were informed by the government.

Just terrible sights from the air in La Guira, dozens of buildings collapsed and damaged..#Venezuela #Earthquake pic.twitter.com/cUmMRHDabi

— Mr ashen (@TheOfficialMrA1) June 25, 2026

How was the international response?

The earthquakes were strong enough to be felt across the region. Countries around the world said they were watching. Some also offered help. But the immediate need was clear. Venezuela needed rescue teams, it needed doctors, it needed information and it needed it fast.