Venezuela declares state of emergency after twin earthquakes kill 32

Venezuela has declared a state of emergency after two powerful earthquakes struck the country within a minute of each other on 24 June 2026, causing widespread structural damage and building collapses in and around Caracas. Acting President Delcy Rodriguez reported at least 32 deaths and 700 injuries, warning that the casualty toll was expected to rise as rescue teams accessed collapsed buildings in the hardest-hit areas.

The seismic events, measuring magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5, are among the strongest to hit Venezuela in over a century. The first tremor, with a depth of 22 kilometres, had its epicentre west of Morón on the Caribbean coast, approximately 168 kilometres from the capital. The second, deeper quake at 10 kilometres, struck just a minute later with its epicentre 16 kilometres southwest of Morón. Rodriguez described the state of La Guaira as a "disaster zone" and noted that initial casualty figures did not include losses from that region.

International response has been swift, with the United States announcing the immediate deployment of search and rescue teams and humanitarian assistance. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the State Department was mobilising medical resources under the direction of President Trump, emphasising that America stands with the Venezuelan people. China and Spain also pledged support, with Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun confirming that no casualties had been reported among Chinese citizens and that Beijing was ready to provide aid according to Venezuelan needs.

Domestically, the disaster has severely disrupted critical infrastructure. Simon Bolivar International Airport, the country’s main hub, has been closed, while subway services and natural gas supplies in Caracas have been interrupted. Rodriguez urged healthcare professionals to report to hospitals and asked the public to remain calm, while the Ministry of Education cancelled classes for several days and converted some school buildings into shelters and donation centres.

Communication challenges have compounded the crisis, with reports of widespread cellphone signal loss in parts of the country complicating efforts for families to locate loved ones. Eyewitnesses in Caracas described the intensity of the shaking, with residents forced from their homes as dust gathered in the streets. Rodriguez has urged unity and requested that Venezuelans report any damages through a government app as the emergency response continues.