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26 June 2026
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Venezuela rocked by 7.5 and 7.2 magnitude earthquakes; death crosses 1 900; 6.7 million people affected
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On 24 June 2026, two large strike-slip earthquakes affected northwestern and central Venezuela. The epicentres of both earthquakes were in San Felipe, Yaracuy. The first earthquake, which measured Mw 7.2, occurred at 18:04 VET and was classified as a foreshock. It was followed 39 seconds later by a Mw 7.5 mainshock. The two earthquakes caused widespread damage across the country, particularly in La Guaira and Caracas. Over 1 943 people were killed (to date), over 10 500 were injured and over 43 200 were reported missing.
Search and rescue
In Caracas, rescue personnel and volunteers began searching for survivors under the debris of collapsed buildings. Staff at the Hospital de Clínicas in Caracas were requested to "double up on the night shift" to respond to the injured. Acting president Delcy Rodríguez warned that the death count was likely to rise, as operations that focused on searching through rubble and debris had not been completed yet. She specifically mentioned La Guaira, which was described as a "disaster zone" because the number of deaths from that state had not been verified or added to the total.
Volunteers, many of them residents of La Guaira, began their own rescue efforts to retrieve their neighbours from collapsed apartment buildings. Almost 24 hours after the earthquakes, they dug through the wreckage with their hands as the city faced a shortage of heavy equipment and machinery, with very limited government assistance. Due to this, civilians from cities across the country collaborated and donated food, clothes and resources for the affected, as well as created donation accounts for potential international donors. The high number of injured people began to overwhelm the José María Vargas Hospital and some casualties had to be treated outdoors. A military supply line was also established outside the city's stadium providing aid. The Venezuelan Armed Forces said field hospitals would be deployed with the capability to support emergency surgeries. Other hospitals across the affected area, such as in Morón, were also overwhelmed by the injured or were short of supplies.
Eight hospitals in the greater Caracas area and twelve private health facilities were activated for triage by the health ministry. Many hospitals were strained by the high influx of injured, and were already facing manpower, supply and equipment shortages before the disaster. The World Health Organisation said three hospitals sustained heavy damage and another six were damaged or running at partial capacity following an inspection. Its spokesperson, Christian Lindmeier, said in its early inquiries revealed disorganised delivery services and patient management, increasing surgical queues, and overcrowding. He also added that several midwifery professionals went missing in La Guaira, leading to a "critical gap in obstetric care."
Injured patients who cannot be treated in La Guaira were transported to Caracas's Pérez Carreño Hospital. Some victims died on the way to the hospital. The hospital's morgue was so overwhelmed with bodies that many were taken to other facilities at Bello Monte and Llanito. The initial influx of patients were those with crush injuries and broken bones. Over the days, the type of injuries physicians increasingly encountered were permanent loss of limbs, kidney failure and crush syndrome. Some also arrived seriously dehydrated and with rhabdomyolysis. At the Ricardo Baquero González Hospital, Caracas, all emergency supplies were depleted within four hours of the earthquakes, so residents began donating their own supplies. At one health facility in La Guaira, patients were treated in its parking lot as there was no more space indoors. Meanwhile, some private health centres in Caracas began providing free treatment.
Casualties
At least 1 943 people died and more than 10 571 were injured by the earthquakes. Health Minister Carlos Alvarado clarified that the numbers reflected casualties recorded at hospitals. More than 15 800 people were also displaced.
According to a missing persons tracking website, 43 251 people were unaccounted for as of 30 June. The Venezuelan government claimed that number was in the thousands but did not provide a figure. United Nations under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator Tom Fletcher also said that more than 50 000 people remained missing. More than 100 Venezuelans who arrived in La Guaira by a United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement deportation flight went missing after their hotel collapsed.
Dozens of foreigners were identified among the dead, including 8 Chinese, 4 Italian-Venezuelans, 2 Brazilians, a Dominican, 3 Chileans, a Cuban and a Uruguayan. Portugal also confirmed 68 citizens, including 59 with Venezuelan citizenship, died, and 74 others were missing. Colombia also reported that 24 of its citizens died in Venezuela. In addition to 18 deaths, the Spanish foreign ministry also said 144 citizens were missing. Argentina authorities said 6 citizens died and 3 were missing. A spokesperson for the Trump administration said 3 Americans were among the dead and 12 were missing.
Immediately after the earthquake, Venezuelan acting president Delcy Rodríguez designated the La Guaira area a disaster zone. Casualty reports remained scarce, particularly in more remote areas. This is believed to be due to disrupted communications or a possible media blackout in Venezuela. Since 24 June is a national holiday in Venezuela, commemorating the 1821 Battle of Carabobo, many people were at home instead of at work when the earthquake struck.
The earthquake collapsed nearly 800 buildings, of which 189 completely collapsed. Buildings collapsed in Caracas and the states of Trujillo, Carabobo, Aragua, Miranda, and La Guaira.[19][66] The United Nations estimated that the earthquake caused US$4.7–8.7 billion worth of damage, roughly 4–8% of Venezuela's GDP, based on losses to housing and economic assets, adding that the true cost could be between 1.5 and 3 times that estimate.
According to Sentinel imagery analysed by NASA, more than half the buildings in Caraballeda, Macuto, Naiguatá, La Guaira and Catia la Mar had a damage probability of at least 75%. That approximated to almost 59 000 buildings damaged according to their analysis. The United Nations Development Programme estimated that 1.7 million buildings were exposed to Mercalli intensity VI (Strong) or higher intensities of shaking; 452 000 experienced VII (Very strong); 60 000 experienced VIII (Severe) and 5 000 experienced IX (Violent). The Microsoft initiative, AI for Good Lab, said AI-based damage assessment tools estimated that nearly a third of Catia La Mar's 30 000 buildings were damaged. The heavy damage in Venezuela was attributed to substandard construction and collapse of older buildings. After the 1967 Caracas earthquake, the government revised its seismic codes but such enforcements were never prioritized. According to Juan Carlos Vielma, a civil engineer, after the Vargas landslides of 1999, then-president Hugo Chávez's administration rushed to build housing for those displaced. Engineers also highlighted the construction of soft story buildings where there are fewer structural elements on the ground floor in favour of more open spaces or garages; such buildings are vulnerable to pancake collapses.
Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello said that the Los Palos Grandes and Altamira municipalities were the worst-affected parts of Caracas. At least four collapsed buildings in Caracas were residential high-rises. At the Petunia Residences in Los Palos Grandes, 14 floors partially collapsed, leaving only 6 floors intact. Three buildings collapsed in Altamira, including a 22-storey building that totally collapsed. Another 30 buildings in the district were heavily damaged. In an unspecified area in southeastern Caracas, almost all high-rise buildings were heavily damaged or destroyed, with many of them collapsing. In the eastern Caracas municipality of Chacao, the mayor, Gustavo Duque [es], said at least 58 people were killed and 26 people were rescued. Additionally, 100 buildings sustained minor to severe structural damage. Two buildings in the municipality also collapsed, with many people trapped under rubble. At least three people were killed after two structures collapsed in Baruta Municipality, and several were killed in a building collapse in Pinto Salinas. Buildings housing the French embassy and the headquarters of the Venezuelan Red Cross were severely damaged. The collapse of the Rita building in San Bernardino Parish resulted in at least seven deaths.
In La Guaira, one of the worst-affected areas, north of Caracas, the earthquake destroyed more than 1,400 buildings and the main airport serving the capital, Simón Bolívar International Airport, was heavily damaged. All flights departing from or arriving there were cancelled. An independent database said more than 11 200 people were missing in the state alone. Venezuelan rescue teams reported that hundreds, possibly thousands of people still remained buried beneath collapsed structures as of 26 June. Images on social media showed dozens of buildings collapsed completely or partially. Those that remained standing sustained collapsed walls and shattered columns. Telecommunication services in the city were disabled. Video from a helicopter also showed many buildings flattened in the Playa Grande, Tanaguarenas and Los Corales neighbourhoods. In Los Corales, the Coral Park, Vallarta, Coral Mar and Coral Beach buildings were destroyed. Further away, in Carayaca, a mixed-use residential building collapsed, killing 11 people.
Closer to the epicenter, in the state of Carabobo, 14 people were killed and 67 were injured in Naguanagua, Juan José Mora, Puerto Cabello and San Diego; nine of the deaths occurred due to landslides and collapsing houses in Morón and Urama parishes, one person died in Puerto Cabello, another was killed by a collapsing building in Naguanagua, and 34 people were injured in Mariara. At least 40 people were treated for injuries in Puerto Cabello's Adolfo Prince Lara and Dr Molina Sierra Social Security hospitals. More than 25 homes were destroyed in the Morón and Urama parishes, while some buildings in Puerto Cabello were damaged. Falcón governor Víctor Clark [es] said 32 people were treated for injuries and 15 people were trapped under collapsed buildings. The collapse of the La Mar Suites in Falcón left 12 people dead and 33 injured. In Yaracuy state, directly at the epicentre of the earthquakes, 13 homes were heavily damaged in San Felipe, two buildings under construction collapsed in Cocorote and a wall collapsed and walls were cracked at a house in Independencia.
On 26 June, an aftershock caused additional damage to buildings in Caracas as well as the collapse of a bridge connecting the parish of Caraballeda to the rest of La Guaira, disrupting relief efforts.
As hospital morgues were operating beyond capacity, many bodies were later taken to the La Guaira port which was converted into a makeshift mortuary for relatives—some of whom were still hospitalized for their injuries—to identify the dead. To delay the decomposition process, some bodies were coated in lime. There, a makeshift tent also served as an authorization centre releasing death certificates and cremation approvals. Numerous private funeral homes began offering free funeral car services and cremations. Without proper record-keeping and identification protocols, relatives had to search in improvised morgues and refrigerator trucks in unhygienic conditions by themselves. Some families reported lost or misplaced bodies after they were identified which prevented burial or funeral processions.
Relatives began posting pictures of missing people on social media in the hope that they would be found and later started creating websites independently to report the missing, found and deceased. The Associated Press reported that Venezuelans were sharing details of their missing relatives on digital flyers on platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram and X. However, social media restrictions in the country by the government made the search for missing people challenging. On 26 June, the United Nations appealed to ease those restrictions, and X was subsequently accessible.
On 26 June, rescue convoys from Mexico, El Salvador and the Dominican Republic arrived in Venezuela. Firefighters, the military and police civil protection were only present in limited areas one day after the earthquake. Dozens of people from nearby Valencia journeyed through the night, making their way to La Guaira with aid. Residents from Caracas also brought their own supplies to the city along the Caracas–La Guaira highway to aid in the initial rescue efforts. President of the National Assembly Jorge Rodríguez requested that citizens mobilize their supplies through authorities instead of delivering them to La Guaira to prevent road congestions.
On 27 June, Delcy Rodríguez said over 14 000 military personnel and more than 100 pieces of machinery were deployed to La Guaira for peacekeeping efforts. They were joined alongside more than 3 600 rescuers from abroad. However, the search and rescue operations were first carried out by civilians, volunteers and relatives of those trapped in the rubble before official and international assistance. The sheer number of non-government response and volunteers arriving from elsewhere worsened the chaos in the state. The government later restricted access to the city on the night of 26 June, only giving access to authorized personnel. Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello defended the restriction to clear roadways for ambulances and for health reasons but did not elaborate on the latter. A volunteer registration centre was also established at the Poliedro de Caracas while civilians who want to contribute to the relief were encouraged to do so via aid collection centres. By 29 June, there were more than 15 400 registrations.
Many Venezuelans, frustrated, claimed the government's response was limited and insufficient; what they saw as the government's attempt to create the impression of an efficient response caused further discontent. At one rubble site, government officials often took selfies before leaving without participating in the recovery effort. Eighty members of a Swiss rescue team said their search dogs found several survivors beneath a rubble site but were unable to rescue them in time. Outrage among civilians were directed at authorities who were managing traffic and making street patrols rather than assisting them in the rescue. In one instance, President Rodríguez disrupted a foreign rescue team from working to thank them.
Reports of looting in La Guaira began in the immediate aftermath. One video on social media also showed people ransacking the remains of a collapsed store. Residents said people were looting supermarkets, a pharmacy, other shops, and among the rubble. People were also stealing fuel from cars and impersonating rescue workers to their advantage. Some soldiers and police officers were also caught in the act by residents. Multiple videos and accusations were made online about security forces looting homes. In another video, a police officer was confronted by people for stealing a stash of cash which they managed to remove.
More than 90 hours after the earthquakes, rescue operations were still challenged by insufficient specialized manpower and some equipment breaking down. According to Leonardo Malvasida, a heavy equipment operator, he and 11 others arrived from Lara to assist in rescue efforts but found no equipment prepared. He added that many qualified operators were in La Guaira but there were no machinery for use. Those that were available were either privately owned and their owners restricted its use, or were inoperable due to lack or fuel or were faulty. Machinery began to arrive on Friday and Saturday, but there were insufficient for the scale of destruction. The official response when asked for additional equipment was to wait until current teams have completed their rescue efforts.
On 30 June, six days after the earthquakes, a three-year-old boy was pulled alive from the rubble in La Guiora state.
International responses
Argentina
The Office of the President issued a statement in which President Javier Milei expressed solidarity with the Venezuelan people regardless of differences between their countries' governments.
Aruba
The government expressed its willingness to offer humanitarian aid to Venezuela.
Azerbaijan
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its condolences for the destruction and deaths caused by the earthquakes.
Barbados
Prime Minister Mia Mottley spoke with Venezuelan acting president Delcy Rodríguez to express her condolences and Barbados' readiness to assist.
Bolivia
The Bolivian government offered humanitarian aid.
Brazil
President Lula da Silva said he would talk to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Brazilian embassy in Caracas to assess the situation. Brazil sent a team of 36 firefighters, 4 National Civil Defence technicians, 4 specialists from the National Telecommunications Agency and 6 firefighter dogs, as well as a medical team. Material support also included at least 12 tons of search and rescue equipment, water purifiers, medical equipment and a portable hospital.
Canada
Prime Minister Mark Carney called the earthquakes "catastrophic" and promised Canada will send humanitarian aid. Later, Global Affairs Canada announced CA$5 million dollars in aid.
Chile
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wrote in a statement that the government "stands ready to provide humanitarian and rescue assistance should it be required." On 25 June, President José Antonio Kast sent a Chilean Air Force plane with 37 team members from the Fire Department's Urban Search and Rescue Group to carry out rescue operations amidst the rubble. The following day, a second plane was sent with 16 rescuers, three tons of humanitarian aid, and two tons of firefighters' equipment.
China
President Xi Jinping said the country was ready to provide "disaster relief and reconstruction".
Colombia
The National Unit for Disaster Risk Management deployed more than 60 rescuers, 4 rescue dog teams, and 12 metric tons of equipment.
Costa Rica
Costa Rica responded to the earthquakes by deploying humanitarian and search-and-rescue assistance at the request of the Venezuelan Red Cross through the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). An initial team of 16 Costa Rican Red Cross specialists departed from Juan Santamaría International Airport, including personnel trained in urban search and rescue, collapsed-structure operations, emergency medical care and logistics. The National Emergency Commission (CNE) subsequently announced a larger deployment of 48 specialized rescuers along with approximately 12 tons of rescue equipment and humanitarian supplies, including non-perishable food. The mission was authorized by President Laura Fernández to support ongoing rescue and relief efforts in the affected areas.
Croatia
The government expressed condolences and solidarity with the people of Venezuela and authorised €1,000,000 in urgent humanitarian aid.
Cuba
Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla expressed condolences and solidarity with Venezuela, adding that "Cuban health workers there are fully mobilized and providing medical services to the affected population."
Czech Republic
A 70-member Heavy Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) Team was deployed to Venezuela on 28 June to join the rescue efforts.
Dominican Republic
President Luis Abinader said the military had readied "specialised search, rescue and emergency response teams" in support.
Ecuador
President Daniel Noboa said that he had ordered the immediate delivery of humanitarian aid to help respond to the emergency. The foreign ministry said it was deploying 46 urban search-and-rescue personnel, search dogs and 6 metric tons of equipment.
El Salvador
More than 150 Salvadoran rescue workers and supplies arrived in Venezuela on 26 June as part of President Nayib Bukele's pledge to send 300 rescue workers and paramedics and 50 tons of medical supplies.
European Union
The European Commissioner for Preparedness and Crisis Management, Hadja Lahbib, stressed the European Union is following the situation and that bloc-funded partners are already providing help on the ground.
Finland
Two Finnish NGOs donated €170,000 in aid, consisting of €120,000 from the Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Mission (FELM) and €50,000 from the Finn Church Aid (FCA) to Venezuela.
France
President Emmanuel Macron announced the immediate dispatch of a team of 85 French rescuers specialised in rescue-clearance.
Germany
Defence Minister Boris Pistorius offered six Airbus A400M Atlas transport aircraft available as soon as support is requested.
Greece
A team of six rescuers with three training dogs and a drone equipped with thermal cameras and sonar are being sent to Venezuela to assist with rescue efforts.
Guyana
President Irfaan Ali expressed his country's readiness to assist Venezuela within its capacities.
Holy See
Pope Leo XIV authorised an initial €100,000 in emergency donation to Venezuela.
India
The Indian Air Force launched 'Operation Amistad', sending two C17s with relief material.
Iran
Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei expressed Iran's solidarity with the government and people of Venezuela and announced the country's readiness to provide any assistance needed for relief and rescue operations.
Israel
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs offered search and rescue assistance. The first rescue delegation arrived in Venezuela on June 26. The assistance is being provided by Israel despite the two nations having had no bilateral relations since 2009.
Italy
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni extended solidarity to the Venezuelan authorities and the population, as well as confirming ongoing efforts to promptly activate all channels of humanitarian aid and assistance.
Japan
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi expressed her condolences for the loss of lives and the damage caused by the earthquake. She also stated that Japan is prepared to provide support and relief.
Jordan
Provided a 100-person search-and-rescue operating under the Public Security Directorate; it included 3 doctors from the Jordanian Royal Medical Services.
Malaysia
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim extended his condolences to the people of Venezuela.
Malta
Foreign Minister of Malta Chris Fearn said the Repubkic of Malta is providing assistance through the Red Cross.
Mexico
Provided 250 military rescue crew, rescue dogs, 4 aircraft, medical supplies, and rescue equipment.
Netherlands
Minister of Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Sjoerd Sjoerdsma confirmed an offer of the Urban Search and Rescue team deployment with rescue workers, dogs and equipment.
New Zealand
Foreign minister Winston Peters expressed shock and condolences over the earthquake.
Pakistan
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said he was "deeply saddened by the devastation and loss of life caused by the earthquakes in Venezuela."
Palestine
President Mahmoud Abbas spoke with Rodríguez, expressing his sincere condolences and sympathy for the victims of the two earthquakes and affirming Palestinian solidarity with Venezuela.
Panama
Donation collection points were opened in the country to be delivered to Caracas. On 26 June, President Jose Raul Mulino said a rescue team would arrive in Venezuela.
Peru
The Peruvian government expressed its solidarity with the Venezuelan people.
Philippines
President Bongbong Marcos expressed sympathy for the victims of the earthquakes.
Portugal
Prime Minister Luís Montenegro expressed solidarity and offered to send emergency and humanitarian aid to Venezuela.
Qatar
Rodríguez said that Qatar had sent rescuers.
Russia
President Vladimir Putin expressed his solidarity and condolences to Rodríguez.
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
The government, through the Ministry of Health, expressed solidarity with and sent condolences to the Venezuelan government and people. They also stated that foreign minister Fitzgerald Bramble was in communication with the Venezuelan government.
Saudi Arabia
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed sincere condolences for the families of the victims and the government and people of Venezuela.
Serbia
President Aleksandar Vučić expressed solidarity with the Venezuelan people while Minister of Foreign Affairs Marko Đurić stated that the country will offer any assistance needed.
South Korea
The Foreign Ministry expressed condolences and announced that it is reviewing the situation and possible assistance. On 26 June, the government announced that it will provide humanitarian aid worth approximately ₩7.7 billion through international organisations within the region.
Spain
Spain sent 57 personnel from the military's search-and-rescue division and 40 firefighters from Madrid.
Suriname
President Jennifer Simons expressed condolences and solidarity with Venezuela and stated that her country stands ready to assist as much as possible.
Sweden
The government contributed 80kr million for humanitarian aid to earthquake victims in Venezuela.
Switzerland
President Guy Parmelin expressed solidarity and his country's readiness to provide assistance should Venezuela request it. The Federal Council later announced the country is sending a rescue team of 80 rescue workers as well as a several tonnes of rescue equipment. The Swiss Rescue Chain is preparing to deploy to Venezuela to search for and rescue earthquake victims trapped under rubble.
Syria
The Syrian Ministry of Emergency and Disaster Management sent a 15-member search-and-rescue team from the Syrian Civil Defence to Venezuela. The operation was carried out with the support of the Qatari International Search and Rescue Group of Lekhwiya.
Thailand
Thailand expressed readiness to send an Urban Search and Rescue team (USAR) to Venezuela
Turkey
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed deep sorrow and solidarity over the loss of life and extensive damage, expressing readiness to provide all necessary assistance.
Ukraine
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that they are ready to provide rescue mission to Venezuela and said that they are ready to send their first responders to help in search and rescue operations.
United Kingdom
The UK is sending a team of 68 with rescue dogs to help find people who are buried under rubble.
United Nations
International Organization for Migration Director General Amy Pope [de] called for critically needed, swift international support and announced efforts to assess the needs of the impacted population.
United States
During a press briefing, Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed the deployment of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) search-and-rescue teams Virginia Task Force One and California Task Force Two to support relief efforts. Undersecretary of State for Foreign Assistance Jeremy Lewin said the department had mobilized a disaster assistance team and task force to coordinate aid in coordination with Venezuela. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau wrote on X that the United States was mobilising assistance to Venezuela. He added that the United States would be working with Venezuela's interim government to provide search-and-rescue teams, medical care, and humanitarian resources. The State Department said it was preparing US$150 million in aid, consisting of US$50 million from the World Food Programme and International Medical Corps and US$100 million to the United Nations pooled fund.
Uruguay
On X, President Yamandú Orsi expressed Uruguay's "solidarity with the Venezuelan authorities and people", adding that it was "closely following the evolution of the situation and reiterate our willingness to collaborate in whatever the Venezuelan government deems necessary."
Vietnam
Vietnam sent military and police rescue teams as well as search dogs, engineers, medical personnel for search-and-rescue activities.
Sources: Generative AI, United States Marine Corps, Wikipedia, Al Jazeera, Reuters, BBC, AP, AFP, Sky News etc
Search and rescue
In Caracas, rescue personnel and volunteers began searching for survivors under the debris of collapsed buildings. Staff at the Hospital de Clínicas in Caracas were requested to "double up on the night shift" to respond to the injured. Acting president Delcy Rodríguez warned that the death count was likely to rise, as operations that focused on searching through rubble and debris had not been completed yet. She specifically mentioned La Guaira, which was described as a "disaster zone" because the number of deaths from that state had not been verified or added to the total.
Volunteers, many of them residents of La Guaira, began their own rescue efforts to retrieve their neighbours from collapsed apartment buildings. Almost 24 hours after the earthquakes, they dug through the wreckage with their hands as the city faced a shortage of heavy equipment and machinery, with very limited government assistance. Due to this, civilians from cities across the country collaborated and donated food, clothes and resources for the affected, as well as created donation accounts for potential international donors. The high number of injured people began to overwhelm the José María Vargas Hospital and some casualties had to be treated outdoors. A military supply line was also established outside the city's stadium providing aid. The Venezuelan Armed Forces said field hospitals would be deployed with the capability to support emergency surgeries. Other hospitals across the affected area, such as in Morón, were also overwhelmed by the injured or were short of supplies.
Eight hospitals in the greater Caracas area and twelve private health facilities were activated for triage by the health ministry. Many hospitals were strained by the high influx of injured, and were already facing manpower, supply and equipment shortages before the disaster. The World Health Organisation said three hospitals sustained heavy damage and another six were damaged or running at partial capacity following an inspection. Its spokesperson, Christian Lindmeier, said in its early inquiries revealed disorganised delivery services and patient management, increasing surgical queues, and overcrowding. He also added that several midwifery professionals went missing in La Guaira, leading to a "critical gap in obstetric care."
Injured patients who cannot be treated in La Guaira were transported to Caracas's Pérez Carreño Hospital. Some victims died on the way to the hospital. The hospital's morgue was so overwhelmed with bodies that many were taken to other facilities at Bello Monte and Llanito. The initial influx of patients were those with crush injuries and broken bones. Over the days, the type of injuries physicians increasingly encountered were permanent loss of limbs, kidney failure and crush syndrome. Some also arrived seriously dehydrated and with rhabdomyolysis. At the Ricardo Baquero González Hospital, Caracas, all emergency supplies were depleted within four hours of the earthquakes, so residents began donating their own supplies. At one health facility in La Guaira, patients were treated in its parking lot as there was no more space indoors. Meanwhile, some private health centres in Caracas began providing free treatment.
Casualties
At least 1 943 people died and more than 10 571 were injured by the earthquakes. Health Minister Carlos Alvarado clarified that the numbers reflected casualties recorded at hospitals. More than 15 800 people were also displaced.
According to a missing persons tracking website, 43 251 people were unaccounted for as of 30 June. The Venezuelan government claimed that number was in the thousands but did not provide a figure. United Nations under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator Tom Fletcher also said that more than 50 000 people remained missing. More than 100 Venezuelans who arrived in La Guaira by a United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement deportation flight went missing after their hotel collapsed.
Dozens of foreigners were identified among the dead, including 8 Chinese, 4 Italian-Venezuelans, 2 Brazilians, a Dominican, 3 Chileans, a Cuban and a Uruguayan. Portugal also confirmed 68 citizens, including 59 with Venezuelan citizenship, died, and 74 others were missing. Colombia also reported that 24 of its citizens died in Venezuela. In addition to 18 deaths, the Spanish foreign ministry also said 144 citizens were missing. Argentina authorities said 6 citizens died and 3 were missing. A spokesperson for the Trump administration said 3 Americans were among the dead and 12 were missing.
Immediately after the earthquake, Venezuelan acting president Delcy Rodríguez designated the La Guaira area a disaster zone. Casualty reports remained scarce, particularly in more remote areas. This is believed to be due to disrupted communications or a possible media blackout in Venezuela. Since 24 June is a national holiday in Venezuela, commemorating the 1821 Battle of Carabobo, many people were at home instead of at work when the earthquake struck.
The earthquake collapsed nearly 800 buildings, of which 189 completely collapsed. Buildings collapsed in Caracas and the states of Trujillo, Carabobo, Aragua, Miranda, and La Guaira.[19][66] The United Nations estimated that the earthquake caused US$4.7–8.7 billion worth of damage, roughly 4–8% of Venezuela's GDP, based on losses to housing and economic assets, adding that the true cost could be between 1.5 and 3 times that estimate.
According to Sentinel imagery analysed by NASA, more than half the buildings in Caraballeda, Macuto, Naiguatá, La Guaira and Catia la Mar had a damage probability of at least 75%. That approximated to almost 59 000 buildings damaged according to their analysis. The United Nations Development Programme estimated that 1.7 million buildings were exposed to Mercalli intensity VI (Strong) or higher intensities of shaking; 452 000 experienced VII (Very strong); 60 000 experienced VIII (Severe) and 5 000 experienced IX (Violent). The Microsoft initiative, AI for Good Lab, said AI-based damage assessment tools estimated that nearly a third of Catia La Mar's 30 000 buildings were damaged. The heavy damage in Venezuela was attributed to substandard construction and collapse of older buildings. After the 1967 Caracas earthquake, the government revised its seismic codes but such enforcements were never prioritized. According to Juan Carlos Vielma, a civil engineer, after the Vargas landslides of 1999, then-president Hugo Chávez's administration rushed to build housing for those displaced. Engineers also highlighted the construction of soft story buildings where there are fewer structural elements on the ground floor in favour of more open spaces or garages; such buildings are vulnerable to pancake collapses.
Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello said that the Los Palos Grandes and Altamira municipalities were the worst-affected parts of Caracas. At least four collapsed buildings in Caracas were residential high-rises. At the Petunia Residences in Los Palos Grandes, 14 floors partially collapsed, leaving only 6 floors intact. Three buildings collapsed in Altamira, including a 22-storey building that totally collapsed. Another 30 buildings in the district were heavily damaged. In an unspecified area in southeastern Caracas, almost all high-rise buildings were heavily damaged or destroyed, with many of them collapsing. In the eastern Caracas municipality of Chacao, the mayor, Gustavo Duque [es], said at least 58 people were killed and 26 people were rescued. Additionally, 100 buildings sustained minor to severe structural damage. Two buildings in the municipality also collapsed, with many people trapped under rubble. At least three people were killed after two structures collapsed in Baruta Municipality, and several were killed in a building collapse in Pinto Salinas. Buildings housing the French embassy and the headquarters of the Venezuelan Red Cross were severely damaged. The collapse of the Rita building in San Bernardino Parish resulted in at least seven deaths.
In La Guaira, one of the worst-affected areas, north of Caracas, the earthquake destroyed more than 1,400 buildings and the main airport serving the capital, Simón Bolívar International Airport, was heavily damaged. All flights departing from or arriving there were cancelled. An independent database said more than 11 200 people were missing in the state alone. Venezuelan rescue teams reported that hundreds, possibly thousands of people still remained buried beneath collapsed structures as of 26 June. Images on social media showed dozens of buildings collapsed completely or partially. Those that remained standing sustained collapsed walls and shattered columns. Telecommunication services in the city were disabled. Video from a helicopter also showed many buildings flattened in the Playa Grande, Tanaguarenas and Los Corales neighbourhoods. In Los Corales, the Coral Park, Vallarta, Coral Mar and Coral Beach buildings were destroyed. Further away, in Carayaca, a mixed-use residential building collapsed, killing 11 people.
Closer to the epicenter, in the state of Carabobo, 14 people were killed and 67 were injured in Naguanagua, Juan José Mora, Puerto Cabello and San Diego; nine of the deaths occurred due to landslides and collapsing houses in Morón and Urama parishes, one person died in Puerto Cabello, another was killed by a collapsing building in Naguanagua, and 34 people were injured in Mariara. At least 40 people were treated for injuries in Puerto Cabello's Adolfo Prince Lara and Dr Molina Sierra Social Security hospitals. More than 25 homes were destroyed in the Morón and Urama parishes, while some buildings in Puerto Cabello were damaged. Falcón governor Víctor Clark [es] said 32 people were treated for injuries and 15 people were trapped under collapsed buildings. The collapse of the La Mar Suites in Falcón left 12 people dead and 33 injured. In Yaracuy state, directly at the epicentre of the earthquakes, 13 homes were heavily damaged in San Felipe, two buildings under construction collapsed in Cocorote and a wall collapsed and walls were cracked at a house in Independencia.
On 26 June, an aftershock caused additional damage to buildings in Caracas as well as the collapse of a bridge connecting the parish of Caraballeda to the rest of La Guaira, disrupting relief efforts.
As hospital morgues were operating beyond capacity, many bodies were later taken to the La Guaira port which was converted into a makeshift mortuary for relatives—some of whom were still hospitalized for their injuries—to identify the dead. To delay the decomposition process, some bodies were coated in lime. There, a makeshift tent also served as an authorization centre releasing death certificates and cremation approvals. Numerous private funeral homes began offering free funeral car services and cremations. Without proper record-keeping and identification protocols, relatives had to search in improvised morgues and refrigerator trucks in unhygienic conditions by themselves. Some families reported lost or misplaced bodies after they were identified which prevented burial or funeral processions.
Relatives began posting pictures of missing people on social media in the hope that they would be found and later started creating websites independently to report the missing, found and deceased. The Associated Press reported that Venezuelans were sharing details of their missing relatives on digital flyers on platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram and X. However, social media restrictions in the country by the government made the search for missing people challenging. On 26 June, the United Nations appealed to ease those restrictions, and X was subsequently accessible.
On 26 June, rescue convoys from Mexico, El Salvador and the Dominican Republic arrived in Venezuela. Firefighters, the military and police civil protection were only present in limited areas one day after the earthquake. Dozens of people from nearby Valencia journeyed through the night, making their way to La Guaira with aid. Residents from Caracas also brought their own supplies to the city along the Caracas–La Guaira highway to aid in the initial rescue efforts. President of the National Assembly Jorge Rodríguez requested that citizens mobilize their supplies through authorities instead of delivering them to La Guaira to prevent road congestions.
On 27 June, Delcy Rodríguez said over 14 000 military personnel and more than 100 pieces of machinery were deployed to La Guaira for peacekeeping efforts. They were joined alongside more than 3 600 rescuers from abroad. However, the search and rescue operations were first carried out by civilians, volunteers and relatives of those trapped in the rubble before official and international assistance. The sheer number of non-government response and volunteers arriving from elsewhere worsened the chaos in the state. The government later restricted access to the city on the night of 26 June, only giving access to authorized personnel. Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello defended the restriction to clear roadways for ambulances and for health reasons but did not elaborate on the latter. A volunteer registration centre was also established at the Poliedro de Caracas while civilians who want to contribute to the relief were encouraged to do so via aid collection centres. By 29 June, there were more than 15 400 registrations.
Many Venezuelans, frustrated, claimed the government's response was limited and insufficient; what they saw as the government's attempt to create the impression of an efficient response caused further discontent. At one rubble site, government officials often took selfies before leaving without participating in the recovery effort. Eighty members of a Swiss rescue team said their search dogs found several survivors beneath a rubble site but were unable to rescue them in time. Outrage among civilians were directed at authorities who were managing traffic and making street patrols rather than assisting them in the rescue. In one instance, President Rodríguez disrupted a foreign rescue team from working to thank them.
Reports of looting in La Guaira began in the immediate aftermath. One video on social media also showed people ransacking the remains of a collapsed store. Residents said people were looting supermarkets, a pharmacy, other shops, and among the rubble. People were also stealing fuel from cars and impersonating rescue workers to their advantage. Some soldiers and police officers were also caught in the act by residents. Multiple videos and accusations were made online about security forces looting homes. In another video, a police officer was confronted by people for stealing a stash of cash which they managed to remove.
More than 90 hours after the earthquakes, rescue operations were still challenged by insufficient specialized manpower and some equipment breaking down. According to Leonardo Malvasida, a heavy equipment operator, he and 11 others arrived from Lara to assist in rescue efforts but found no equipment prepared. He added that many qualified operators were in La Guaira but there were no machinery for use. Those that were available were either privately owned and their owners restricted its use, or were inoperable due to lack or fuel or were faulty. Machinery began to arrive on Friday and Saturday, but there were insufficient for the scale of destruction. The official response when asked for additional equipment was to wait until current teams have completed their rescue efforts.
On 30 June, six days after the earthquakes, a three-year-old boy was pulled alive from the rubble in La Guiora state.
International responses
Argentina
The Office of the President issued a statement in which President Javier Milei expressed solidarity with the Venezuelan people regardless of differences between their countries' governments.
Aruba
The government expressed its willingness to offer humanitarian aid to Venezuela.
Azerbaijan
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its condolences for the destruction and deaths caused by the earthquakes.
Barbados
Prime Minister Mia Mottley spoke with Venezuelan acting president Delcy Rodríguez to express her condolences and Barbados' readiness to assist.
Bolivia
The Bolivian government offered humanitarian aid.
Brazil
President Lula da Silva said he would talk to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Brazilian embassy in Caracas to assess the situation. Brazil sent a team of 36 firefighters, 4 National Civil Defence technicians, 4 specialists from the National Telecommunications Agency and 6 firefighter dogs, as well as a medical team. Material support also included at least 12 tons of search and rescue equipment, water purifiers, medical equipment and a portable hospital.
Canada
Prime Minister Mark Carney called the earthquakes "catastrophic" and promised Canada will send humanitarian aid. Later, Global Affairs Canada announced CA$5 million dollars in aid.
Chile
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wrote in a statement that the government "stands ready to provide humanitarian and rescue assistance should it be required." On 25 June, President José Antonio Kast sent a Chilean Air Force plane with 37 team members from the Fire Department's Urban Search and Rescue Group to carry out rescue operations amidst the rubble. The following day, a second plane was sent with 16 rescuers, three tons of humanitarian aid, and two tons of firefighters' equipment.
China
President Xi Jinping said the country was ready to provide "disaster relief and reconstruction".
Colombia
The National Unit for Disaster Risk Management deployed more than 60 rescuers, 4 rescue dog teams, and 12 metric tons of equipment.
Costa Rica
Costa Rica responded to the earthquakes by deploying humanitarian and search-and-rescue assistance at the request of the Venezuelan Red Cross through the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). An initial team of 16 Costa Rican Red Cross specialists departed from Juan Santamaría International Airport, including personnel trained in urban search and rescue, collapsed-structure operations, emergency medical care and logistics. The National Emergency Commission (CNE) subsequently announced a larger deployment of 48 specialized rescuers along with approximately 12 tons of rescue equipment and humanitarian supplies, including non-perishable food. The mission was authorized by President Laura Fernández to support ongoing rescue and relief efforts in the affected areas.
Croatia
The government expressed condolences and solidarity with the people of Venezuela and authorised €1,000,000 in urgent humanitarian aid.
Cuba
Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla expressed condolences and solidarity with Venezuela, adding that "Cuban health workers there are fully mobilized and providing medical services to the affected population."
Czech Republic
A 70-member Heavy Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) Team was deployed to Venezuela on 28 June to join the rescue efforts.
Dominican Republic
President Luis Abinader said the military had readied "specialised search, rescue and emergency response teams" in support.
Ecuador
President Daniel Noboa said that he had ordered the immediate delivery of humanitarian aid to help respond to the emergency. The foreign ministry said it was deploying 46 urban search-and-rescue personnel, search dogs and 6 metric tons of equipment.
El Salvador
More than 150 Salvadoran rescue workers and supplies arrived in Venezuela on 26 June as part of President Nayib Bukele's pledge to send 300 rescue workers and paramedics and 50 tons of medical supplies.
European Union
The European Commissioner for Preparedness and Crisis Management, Hadja Lahbib, stressed the European Union is following the situation and that bloc-funded partners are already providing help on the ground.
Finland
Two Finnish NGOs donated €170,000 in aid, consisting of €120,000 from the Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Mission (FELM) and €50,000 from the Finn Church Aid (FCA) to Venezuela.
France
President Emmanuel Macron announced the immediate dispatch of a team of 85 French rescuers specialised in rescue-clearance.
Germany
Defence Minister Boris Pistorius offered six Airbus A400M Atlas transport aircraft available as soon as support is requested.
Greece
A team of six rescuers with three training dogs and a drone equipped with thermal cameras and sonar are being sent to Venezuela to assist with rescue efforts.
Guyana
President Irfaan Ali expressed his country's readiness to assist Venezuela within its capacities.
Holy See
Pope Leo XIV authorised an initial €100,000 in emergency donation to Venezuela.
India
The Indian Air Force launched 'Operation Amistad', sending two C17s with relief material.
Iran
Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei expressed Iran's solidarity with the government and people of Venezuela and announced the country's readiness to provide any assistance needed for relief and rescue operations.
Israel
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs offered search and rescue assistance. The first rescue delegation arrived in Venezuela on June 26. The assistance is being provided by Israel despite the two nations having had no bilateral relations since 2009.
Italy
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni extended solidarity to the Venezuelan authorities and the population, as well as confirming ongoing efforts to promptly activate all channels of humanitarian aid and assistance.
Japan
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi expressed her condolences for the loss of lives and the damage caused by the earthquake. She also stated that Japan is prepared to provide support and relief.
Jordan
Provided a 100-person search-and-rescue operating under the Public Security Directorate; it included 3 doctors from the Jordanian Royal Medical Services.
Malaysia
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim extended his condolences to the people of Venezuela.
Malta
Foreign Minister of Malta Chris Fearn said the Repubkic of Malta is providing assistance through the Red Cross.
Mexico
Provided 250 military rescue crew, rescue dogs, 4 aircraft, medical supplies, and rescue equipment.
Netherlands
Minister of Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Sjoerd Sjoerdsma confirmed an offer of the Urban Search and Rescue team deployment with rescue workers, dogs and equipment.
New Zealand
Foreign minister Winston Peters expressed shock and condolences over the earthquake.
Pakistan
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said he was "deeply saddened by the devastation and loss of life caused by the earthquakes in Venezuela."
Palestine
President Mahmoud Abbas spoke with Rodríguez, expressing his sincere condolences and sympathy for the victims of the two earthquakes and affirming Palestinian solidarity with Venezuela.
Panama
Donation collection points were opened in the country to be delivered to Caracas. On 26 June, President Jose Raul Mulino said a rescue team would arrive in Venezuela.
Peru
The Peruvian government expressed its solidarity with the Venezuelan people.
Philippines
President Bongbong Marcos expressed sympathy for the victims of the earthquakes.
Portugal
Prime Minister Luís Montenegro expressed solidarity and offered to send emergency and humanitarian aid to Venezuela.
Qatar
Rodríguez said that Qatar had sent rescuers.
Russia
President Vladimir Putin expressed his solidarity and condolences to Rodríguez.
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
The government, through the Ministry of Health, expressed solidarity with and sent condolences to the Venezuelan government and people. They also stated that foreign minister Fitzgerald Bramble was in communication with the Venezuelan government.
Saudi Arabia
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed sincere condolences for the families of the victims and the government and people of Venezuela.
Serbia
President Aleksandar Vučić expressed solidarity with the Venezuelan people while Minister of Foreign Affairs Marko Đurić stated that the country will offer any assistance needed.
South Korea
The Foreign Ministry expressed condolences and announced that it is reviewing the situation and possible assistance. On 26 June, the government announced that it will provide humanitarian aid worth approximately ₩7.7 billion through international organisations within the region.
Spain
Spain sent 57 personnel from the military's search-and-rescue division and 40 firefighters from Madrid.
Suriname
President Jennifer Simons expressed condolences and solidarity with Venezuela and stated that her country stands ready to assist as much as possible.
Sweden
The government contributed 80kr million for humanitarian aid to earthquake victims in Venezuela.
Switzerland
President Guy Parmelin expressed solidarity and his country's readiness to provide assistance should Venezuela request it. The Federal Council later announced the country is sending a rescue team of 80 rescue workers as well as a several tonnes of rescue equipment. The Swiss Rescue Chain is preparing to deploy to Venezuela to search for and rescue earthquake victims trapped under rubble.
Syria
The Syrian Ministry of Emergency and Disaster Management sent a 15-member search-and-rescue team from the Syrian Civil Defence to Venezuela. The operation was carried out with the support of the Qatari International Search and Rescue Group of Lekhwiya.
Thailand
Thailand expressed readiness to send an Urban Search and Rescue team (USAR) to Venezuela
Turkey
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed deep sorrow and solidarity over the loss of life and extensive damage, expressing readiness to provide all necessary assistance.
Ukraine
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that they are ready to provide rescue mission to Venezuela and said that they are ready to send their first responders to help in search and rescue operations.
United Kingdom
The UK is sending a team of 68 with rescue dogs to help find people who are buried under rubble.
United Nations
International Organization for Migration Director General Amy Pope [de] called for critically needed, swift international support and announced efforts to assess the needs of the impacted population.
United States
During a press briefing, Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed the deployment of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) search-and-rescue teams Virginia Task Force One and California Task Force Two to support relief efforts. Undersecretary of State for Foreign Assistance Jeremy Lewin said the department had mobilized a disaster assistance team and task force to coordinate aid in coordination with Venezuela. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau wrote on X that the United States was mobilising assistance to Venezuela. He added that the United States would be working with Venezuela's interim government to provide search-and-rescue teams, medical care, and humanitarian resources. The State Department said it was preparing US$150 million in aid, consisting of US$50 million from the World Food Programme and International Medical Corps and US$100 million to the United Nations pooled fund.
Uruguay
On X, President Yamandú Orsi expressed Uruguay's "solidarity with the Venezuelan authorities and people", adding that it was "closely following the evolution of the situation and reiterate our willingness to collaborate in whatever the Venezuelan government deems necessary."
Vietnam
Vietnam sent military and police rescue teams as well as search dogs, engineers, medical personnel for search-and-rescue activities.
Sources: Generative AI, United States Marine Corps, Wikipedia, Al Jazeera, Reuters, BBC, AP, AFP, Sky News etc
