Back-to-back powerful earthquakes slam Venezuela, collapsing buildings in the capital of Caracas

Published: Thursday, June 25, 2026 at 12:27 am

Powerful Earthquakes Devastate Venezuela, Causing Widespread Damage

Venezuela was struck by a series of powerful earthquakes on Wednesday evening, resulting in significant building collapses in the capital city of Caracas. The seismic activity began with a magnitude 7.1 earthquake, its epicenter located west of the coastal community of Morn, approximately 168 kilometers west of Caracas. This initial tremor had a depth of 13 kilometers.

Mere moments later, an even more powerful 7.5-magnitude earthquake struck. This second quake, with a depth of 10 kilometers, had its epicenter situated 16 kilometers southwest of Morn. These back-to-back events represent some of the strongest earthquakes to impact Venezuela in over a century.

The U.S. Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued a tsunami alert for the Virgin Islands, and authorities in the Dominican Republic also issued a similar alert for their island. An alert for Puerto Rico was subsequently lifted.

In Caracas, residents were seen evacuating swaying buildings and remaining in the streets, many visibly shaken by the destruction. Entire walls of buildings had collapsed, exposing interior furnishings to public view. Columns of dust were observed rising from two neighborhoods in the capital, areas typically bustling with restaurants and businesses.

Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello confirmed that the tremors were felt across several states. He described alarming situations in the Altamira neighborhood of Caracas, where homes and buildings had collapsed. Cabello indicated that injuries had occurred and urged motorists to yield to emergency vehicles. He assured the public that aid and rescue efforts were being activated according to established protocols to assist those most in need. The minister also advised caution for children and the elderly, encouraging people to check on one another. He further recommended that individuals remain outdoors due to the potential for aftershocks to cause further damage to already compromised structures.

One Caracas resident, Roberto Damas, described the experience as "unreal," recounting how the building shook violently from side to side, tossing people around. He noted that everything in his apartment fell but expressed gratitude for being able to escape.

BNN's Perspective: The recent earthquakes in Venezuela underscore the persistent threat of seismic activity in the region. The swift and powerful nature of these tremors, coupled with the resulting structural damage, highlights the critical importance of robust emergency preparedness and response systems. While immediate rescue and aid efforts are paramount, long-term strategies for infrastructure resilience and public safety education will be crucial in mitigating the impact of future seismic events.

Tags: Venezuela earthquakes, Caracas, building collapse, magnitude 7.1 earthquake, magnitude 7.5 earthquake, U.S. Geological Survey, tsunami alert, Virgin Islands, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello, aftershocks

Full Story