Venezuela quakes kill 235, rescue work continues in Altamira, La Guaira
Two powerful earthquakes struck northern Venezuela on Wednesday night, June 24, 2026, with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5 recorded within less than a minute of each other. The tremors devastated the Altamira neighbourhood in Caracas and nearby towns in La Guaira state, including Caraballeda and Catia La Mar, causing buildings to collapse, tilt, and crumble. Officials reported at least 235 deaths and around 4,300 injuries, with rescue crews racing to pull survivors from rubble as aftershocks continued through Thursday.
Rescue efforts were hampered by limited equipment and trained personnel; residents in La Guaira reported hearing cries from trapped individuals but lacking tools to help. Volunteers and medical staff described children arriving at hospitals alone, some with identification tape on their arms. Interim President Delcy Rodríguez declared La Guaira a disaster zone and visited the area, while looting was observed at a local supermarket. International offers of assistance arrived swiftly, with Switzerland, Spain, France, Portugal, Mexico, China, India, Brazil and Iran pledging support, and the United States announcing deployment of two warships, transport planes, helicopters and $150 million in aid.
The quakes mark the strongest to hit Venezuela in 126 years, surpassing the 1900 offshore 7.7‑magnitude event, and follow a long seismic quiet since the 1997 quake that killed 73 people. Tremors were felt in neighboring Colombia and northern Brazil, prompting precautionary evacuations. UN Secretary‑General Antonio Guterres expressed deep sadness and pledged UN assistance, while Pope Leo XIV sent an initial 100,000 euros in aid. International rescue teams are en route as the country confronts what officials describe as a catastrophic disaster requiring massive collective effort.