Two powerful earthquakes struck northern Venezuela on the night of June 24, 2026, toppling buildings in the capital, Caracas, and several inland cities. Authorities confirm at least 188 dead and more than 1,520 injured, numbers that are expected to rise in the coming hours.
What happened
The first quake, with a magnitude of 7.2, occurred around 6:04 p.m. near San Felipe, about 284 kilometers west of Caracas. Moments later, a second, even stronger quake, with a magnitude of 7.5, hit the Yumare region, about 293 kilometers from the capital. It is the strongest earthquake to hit Venezuela since 1900, when a 7.7-magnitude quake shook the country.
The scale of the tragedy
At least 157 people remain missing and more than 200 are trapped under the rubble. About 3,000 families have been directly affected. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) warns that the number of victims could reach the thousands, with a significant probability of exceeding 10,000 deaths, and estimates economic losses in the thousands of millions of dollars.
Rescue teams are working tirelessly, often by hand, in the hope of finding survivors. Hospitals are operating above capacity, and there are urgent appeals for blood, drinking water, and shelter.
Earthquakes and climate: an important note
Earthquakes have a geological origin — in the movement of tectonic plates — and are not caused by global warming. Maintaining this distinction is a matter of rigor. However, there is a real point of intersection: disaster resilience. Impoverished communities and fragile infrastructure amplify the impact of any natural disaster, whether seismic or climatic. Preparing cities to withstand shocks is a common agenda for seismic risk management and climate adaptation.
How to help
If you want to support the victims, we recommend donating to verified organizations that are already responding on the ground:
- International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) — ifrc.org
- UN / Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (ReliefWeb) — reliefweb.int/country/ven
- GlobalGiving — globalgiving.org
Always verify that the organization is legitimate before donating and be wary of unsolicited requests.