Simon Romero reports for The New York Times: “The earthquakes were a magnitude 7.2 and 7.5, according to a U.S. monitoring agency. People in the stricken area said that buildings collapsed and electricity was knocked out, including in the capital, Caracas.”
As NYT weather editor John Keefe reported, Tsunami alerts were briefly issued for parts of the Caribbean by the U.S. Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, and people along coastlines of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands were advised to get out of the ocean and off beaches. “This is a common precaution for large quakes near shorelines — even when the epicenters are on land, like these — while officials determine whether a temblor generated large waves.”
Two major earthquakes struck central Venezuela on Wednesday evening, causing buildings to collapse in the capital and people to swarm into the streets. The stronger quake was the largest to hit the country since 1900.
Venezuela’s president, Delcy Rodríguez, declared a state of emergency. “For those who have unfortunately suffered the loss of a family member, we extend our immediate condolences,” she said in a televised address. She gave no numbers of deaths or injuries, but with fears of a widespread disaster high, called on doctors and nurses to report to their jobs to care for the injured. [. . .]
First responders had rescued at least 18 people from damaged buildings in the Chacao municipality of Caracas, said Gustavo Duque Sáez, the mayor of Chacao. He said that more than 500 public employees were involved in the rescue efforts in the area. [. . .]
Venezuela’s president, Delcy Rodríguez, briefly addressed the nation on Wednesday night. She declared a state of emergency and, without giving a death toll, offered sympathy to survivors in her televised statement. “For those who have unfortunately suffered the loss of a family member, we extend our immediate condolences,” she said, calling on doctors and nurses to report to their jobs to care for the injured.
She said that the international airport near Caracas, in Maiquetía, had been damaged and would remain closed until further notice. Images on social media showed passengers running for safety as the terminals shook.
Rodríguez thanked nations that she said had “communicated” with Venezuela to offer solidarity and support, including the United States. [. . .]
Two major earthquakes rattled central Venezuela on Wednesday, according to the United States Geological Survey, which warned that a widespread disaster, including many casualties and extensive damage, was likely.
Residents of the beleaguered South American country said that the temblors felt especially strong, shaking buildings and knocking out electricity in parts of the country, including the capital, Caracas. Images posted on social media showed some buildings reduced to ruins. It was not immediately clear if there were any deaths.
Venezuela has some of the largest oil reserves in the world — but an oil industry that has been in decline because of outdated infrastructure and U.S. sanctions. The country also bears the burden of triple-digit inflation. And in January, the U.S. military seized the country’s previous leader, Nicolás Maduro. [. . .]
See full article and live updates at https://www.nytimes.com/live/2026/06/24/world/venezuela-earthquake
[Photo by Juan Barreto/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images. Rescue workers carrying a person on a stretcher from a collapsed building after an earthquake in Caracas on Wednesday.]
Simon Romero reports for The New York Times: “The earthquakes were a magnitude 7.2 and 7.5, according to a U.S. monitoring agency. People in the stricken area said that buildings collapsed and electricity was knocked out, including in the capital, Caracas.” As NYT weather editor John Keefe reported, Tsunami alerts were briefly issued for parts
