At least 164 people have died and 971 injured in earthquakes, Venezuela interim leader says
At least 164 people have died and 971 were injured in Venezuela after the country was hit by two powerful earthquakes, acting president Delcy Rodríguez said.
The latest figures mark a sharp increase from an earlier reported toll of 32 dead and 700 injured. Authorities fear the numbers could rise further as rescue efforts continue.
Yesterday’s 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes were among the strongest to strike Venezuela in more than a century.
Rodríguez said authorities were shifting rescue teams from other parts of the country to the hardest-hit La Guaira area, which sits north of the capital Caracas.
“Dozens of buildings have collapsed there … and we are currently carrying out intensive rescue operations to save lives,” she said.
Map showing earthquake locations in Venezuela.Share
Key events
The UN has urged the Venezuelan government to lift restrictions on websites to help people access information, saying it could be “a matter of life and death”.
The Venezuelan government has blocked independent news sites and communications platforms, particularly during periods of political unrest and contested elections, with digital rights activists arguing that censorship is used as a tool of state control to restrict access to information and limit dissent.
People in Caracas speak by phone after an earthquake struck Venezuela. Photograph: Jesús Vargas/Getty Images
In a statement, the UN fact-finding mission to Venezuela said:
double quotation markWe stand with all Venezuelans at this difficult time. For a country already facing enormous challenges this is a devasting blow.
It is crucial that a full commitment to human rights guide all aspects of the national and international response to this immense tragedy.
As a critical first step, it is vital that CONATEL, the country’s telecommunications regulator, fully unblock access to social media and all media outlets.
In the coming hours and days, access to information will be a matter of life and death. There can be no excuse for failing to do so immediately.”
Updated at 06.24 EDT
The EU said it has activated its Copernicus satellite programme to aid Venezuela’s recovery efforts. According to the EU, Copernicus data “can support preparedness and prevention by providing data that helps to identify risks and prevent loss of lives and damages”.
“My condolences to the victims of the earthquake in Venezuela,” Hadja Lahbib, the EU commissioner for humanitarian aid, wrote on X.
“We are following the situation with our field staff and partners there. EU-funded partners are already providing help on the ground, Copernicus is activated & we stand ready to step up assistance.”
The death toll of at least 32 people and injuries of more than 700 does not include victims in the hardest-hit La Guaira area, which lies near the capital Caracas and has been designated a disaster zone, AFP reports.
The coastal city of Catia La Mar in La Guaira state was without electricity, and many people spent the night in the streets or searched for people among the rubble.
“We have nothing, right now we have nothing, not even the strength or the courage to go in there, just imagine,” Larry Rojas, 49, told AFP, standing in front of a collapsed building Catia la Mar where he said his family was trapped.
People stand in the rubble near a damaged building following an earthquake in Catia La Mar, La Guaira state, Venezuela. Photograph: Federico Parra/AFP/Getty ImagesShare
Updated at 05.45 EDT
Germany said it was ready to provide six Airbus A400M transport aircraft to help with relief efforts in Venezuela.
The military aircraft can be available “at short notice as soon as support is requested from us”, the German defence minister, Boris Pistorius, said.
The aircraft and crew already have extensive experience in aid deliveries, having transported relief supplies in Turkey after an earthquake in 2023 and airdropped aid into Gaza in 2024 and 2025, the German defence ministry said.
An Airbus A400M Atlas military transport plane of the Bundeswehr flies at the 2026 ILA Berlin Air Show on 11 June 2026 in Schoenefeld, Germany. Photograph: Sean Gallup/Getty ImagesShare
Updated at 05.28 EDT
Venezuela earthquake the most powerful to hit the country since 1900 – USGS
According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), yesterday’s 7.5 magnitude earthquake was the most powerful tremor to hit the country since 1900.
The last time Venezuela was struck by a larger tremor was on 29 October 1900 when a 7.7 magnitude earthquake was recorded in Caracas, the US monitoring service said.
There have been five earthquakes of magnitudes greater than 7 in northern Venezuela or near the coast since 1900, according to USGS.
Seven earthquakes of magnitude 6.0 or greater have occurred within about 250 km (155 miles) of yesterday’s earthquakes over the past century. The most recent was in September last year, when two earthquakes of magnitudes 6.2 and 6.3 caused at least one fatality and injured more than 110 people.
People wait at the site of a collapsed building as emergency workers search for their family in Caracas. Photograph: Gaby Oráa/ReutersShare
Updated at 05.02 EDT
‘Like a horror movie’: survivors describe moment of terror and destruction as earthquakes hit
People in the capital Caracas remained outdoors for hours after the earthquakes, with many sheltering in schools that have been converted into emergency centres.
They described the moment of terror and destruction as people ran from swaying buildings when the earthquakes hit.
People rest in a square out of fear of going back into buildings in Caracas, Venezuela. Photograph: Leonardo Fernández Viloria/Reuters
“It started off gently and then gradually grew, and in the end, we all had to leave our houses, go outside and gather together,” Caracas resident Hector Ricci told Associated Press.
Roberto Gamas, another Caracas resident, said the building he was in “really shook from side to side. Unreal. The force was incredibly strong”.
Maria Alejandra described the scenes as “like a horror movie”. She told Reuters: “We had to climb over the rubble and everything.”
People camp on a sports court following an earthquake in Caracas. Photograph: Pedro Mattey/APShare
Also reacting to news of the disaster was Italy’s prime minister Giorgia Meloni, who wrote on X that she was following the situation with “deep concern”.
“I wish to express, on behalf of the government, our deepest sympathy and solidarity with the Venezuelan authorities and the people of Venezuela,” Meloni said.
She added that she was working to “promptly activate every channel of humanitarian aid and assistance to our compatriots”.
Updated at 03.56 EDT
China said it was ready to provide all possible help to Venezuela after two earthquakes killed at least 32 people and injured hundreds, AFP reports.
“China is willing to provide what help it can in an appropriate manner according to the needs of the Venezuelan side,” foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun told a news briefing.
“As of now, there have been no reports of casualties among Chinese citizens,” he added.
ShareVenezuela interim leader speaks to Rubio on the phone
Venezuela’s acting president, Delcy Rodríguez, said she has spoken to the US secretary of state, Marco Rubio, on the phone.
“I have held a phone call with the secretary of state of the United States of America, Marco Rubio, who has expressed his solidarity and support toward the Venezuelan people in these difficult moments for our nation,” she posted on X.
“We are grateful for this expression of solidarity with Venezuela at such a difficult time, marked by the impact of the natural disaster that has affected several regions across the country.”
Earlier, Rodríguez said the Trump administration was “in constant contact” with the Venezuelan authorities as she thanked the US president for his support.
Updated at 03.32 EDT
World leaders offer condolences and support
More world leaders have extended their condolences to the people of Venezuela and offered assistance with rescue efforts.
Spain’s prime minister Pedro Sánchez said: “All my support, and that of Spain, to the Venezuelan people following the devastating earthquakes of this evening. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families.”
Pakistan’s prime minister Shehbaz Sharif said: “Deeply saddened by the devastation and loss of life caused by the earthquakes in Venezuela. On behalf of the people of Pakistan, I convey our heartfelt condolences to the government and people of Venezuela, especially the families of the victims. We pray for the injured and stand in solidarity with all those affected during this difficult and challenging time.”
Offers of help were also made by a number of other governments including the US, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, El Salvador, Mexico, Panama and Uruguay.
Rescue workers search through the rubble of a collapsed building in Caracas, Venezuela, after twin earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude struck the country’s northern Caribbean coast. Photograph: Anadolu/Getty ImagesShare
The 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes struck shortly after 6pm local time. According to the US Geological Survey, the first earthquake hit west of Morón on the country’s Caribbean coast about 168km (104 miles) west of Caracas, while the second earthquake struck just a minute later about 16km (10 miles) south-west of Morón.
Map showing the locations of the earthquakes in Venezuela.Share
Updated at 03.07 EDT
It is approaching 3am in Venezuela, where rescue efforts continue after two powerful earthquakes struck the country in quick succession. Here are some of the latest images from news agencies in the capital, Caracas, and in La Guaira, the area hardest hit by the quakes.
A person walks amid rubble of a destroyed building after an earthquake, in La Guaira, Venezuela. Photograph: Maxwell Briceno/ReutersPeople gather outside a damaged building in Catia La Mar, La Guaira state, following an earthquake. Photograph: Federico Parra/AFP/Getty ImagesPeople walk amid debris in Caracas. Photograph: Ariana Cubillos/APPeople sleep outside their homes following an earthquake in Caracas. Photograph: Pedro Mattey/AP
More images can be found here:
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If you’re just joining us, here are some of the latest updates, as rescuers continue to search for survivors after two back-to-back earthquakes hit Venezuela.
People stand in the rubble near a damaged building in Catia La Mar, La Guaira state, 30km north-west of Caracas. Photograph: Federico Parra/AFP/Getty Images
At least 32 people are dead and another 700 injured following the twin earthquakes that rocked northern Venezuela around 6pm Wednesday, local time.
A magnitude 7.2 earthquake hit about 160km (100 miles) west of Caracas, followed less than a minute later by a magnitude 7.5 tremor, according to the US Geological Survey.
Venezuela’s interim president Delcy Rodríguez declared a state of emergency after the earthquakes collapsed buildings and led to the closure of the main airport.
Donald Trump has pledged support to Venezuela, including aid and personnel, adding there were “a devastating number of deaths”.
Rescuers from others countries were arriving in Venezuela over the coming hours.
Images and videos show flattened buildings, homes, hotels and dust and debris lining the streets of Caracas and nearby regions.
Eyewitnesses described the terror of walls cracking and shaking around them, and watching people food into the streets screaming.
Rescuers have been working through the night to try to find people who may still be trapped and many residents have reported feeling too scared to return home due to the possibility of big aftershocks.
Read the full report here: