At least 164 people are dead and 971 others injured after two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela in rapid succession, leaving officials racing to reach survivors and warning the toll could climb sharply.
Thousands more are feared dead after a magnitude 7.2 earthquake hit roughly 100 miles west of Caracas, followed less than a minute later by a magnitude 7.5 tremor, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
The USGS warned the final death toll would most likely reach into the thousands, with a substantial chance it could exceed 10,000.
🇻🇪 La Guaira officially declared a disaster zone after catastrophic twin earthquakes in Venezuela
The region is currently the hardest-hit area, with massive infrastructural collapse, total blackouts, and heavily overwhelmed local emergency services.
Videos from the scene:… pic.twitter.com/0WBEYEFSRV
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) June 25, 2026
The early casualty figures released Thursday did not include La Guaira, which is believed to be among the hardest-hit areas.
Venezuelan Interim President Delcy Rodriguez described the state as a “disaster zone.”
The back-to-back quakes were among the strongest to hit Venezuela in more than a century and were felt across the region.
Rodriguez appealed for unity during an address on state television as rescue crews searched through the wreckage.
“This is a true tragedy. From here, we send our message of solidarity, and to those families who have lost loved ones, we reaffirm our condolences and our support in these difficult hours.
“We are at this moment working very hard in rescue operations to save the lives that God permits us to save.”
President Donald Trump said the United States was prepared to help Venezuela respond to the disaster.
In a Truth Social post, Donald Trump said: “The U.S.A. stands ready, willing, and able to help! I have instructed all agencies of our government to get ready to move quickly. We will be there for our new and great friends.”
The disaster adds another crisis for Venezuela, where rescue crews now face collapsed buildings, damaged roads and the grim possibility that many more victims remain trapped.
Officials are expected to release updated casualty numbers as emergency teams reach La Guaira and other communities cut off by the quakes.
