{"id":356085,"date":"2026-06-25T07:55:17","date_gmt":"2026-06-25T02:25:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ebiztoday.news\/?p=356085"},"modified":"2026-06-25T07:55:17","modified_gmt":"2026-06-25T02:25:17","slug":"back-to-back-powerful-earthquakes-slam-venezuela-collapsing-buildings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ebiztoday.news\/index.php\/2026\/06\/25\/back-to-back-powerful-earthquakes-slam-venezuela-collapsing-buildings\/","title":{"rendered":"Back-to-back powerful earthquakes slam Venezuela, collapsing buildings"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Back-to-back powerful earthquakes struck off the coast of Venezuela on Wednesday evening, collapsing buildings and sending panicked residents into the streets.<\/p>\n

The 7.2 and seven.5 magnitude earthquakes roiled the region, with buildings evacuated in cities as far-off as Brazil\u2019s Amazon about 1,700 kilometers away.<\/p>\n

Venezuela\u2019s Maiquet\u00eda Airport has closed and classes canceled after earthquakes damaged several states across the country, acting President Rodr\u00edguez said in a news conference.<\/p>\n

Rodr\u00edguez\u2019s failure to deal with the nation inside three hours of the earthquake, while her government didn’t give a report of injuries or fatalities in that point, was criticized by politicians and Venezuelans.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe uncertainty becomes one more layer of anguish,\u201d Edmundo Gonz\u00e1lez, the opposition\u2019s 2024 presidential candidate, said on X.<\/p>\n

The U.S. Geological Survey initially said the primary earthquake had a magnitude of seven.1, later revising that to 7.2, and its epicenter was west of the community of Mor\u00f3n, positioned along the country\u2019s Caribbean coast, about 168 kilometers west of Caracas. The quake had a depth of twenty-two kilometers.<\/p>\n

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The USGS reported an excellent larger 7.5-magnitude earthquake only a minute later. The second quake had a depth of 10 kilometers and its epicenter was 16 kilometers southwest of Mor\u00f3n.<\/p>\n

The quakes, among the many strongest to strike Venezuela in greater than a century, struck shortly after 6 p.m. People evacuated swaying buildings within the capital Caracas, many visibly shocked as they saw entire partitions that had collapsed, making furniture visible from the road. Dust columns may be seen in two neighborhoods of the capital, where restaurants and other businesses are typically busy.<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\tPeople walk amid debris after an earthquake in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, June 24, 2026.\t\t\t\t<\/span>
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\u2018All of us had to depart our homes\u2019<\/h4>\n

People remained on the streets for hours, even after sunset. Some sat on the bottom hugging their pets as dust gathered around them. Collapsed buildings, toppled electric poles and debris blocked streets. Parts of the capital lost power and cellphone signal.<\/p>\n

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\u201cIt began off gently after which progressively grew, and ultimately, all of us had to depart our homes, go outside and gather together,\u201d Caracas resident Hector Ricci said.<\/p>\n

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The shortage of cellphone signal in parts of Venezuela deepened the distress of many families, particularly those among the many greater than 7.7 million individuals who have left the country during its protracted crisis.<\/p>\n

\u201cMay strength, serenity, and solidarity prevail amongst us within the face of this difficult time,\u201d opposition leader Maria Corina Machado said from exile on X.<\/p>\n

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Impact felt throughout Venezuela<\/h4>\n

Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello said the quake could possibly be felt in several states. The Altamira neighborhood in Caracas had \u201calarming situations\u201d with collapsed homes and buildings, he said, suggesting people were injured within the earthquake and asking motorists to present approach to ambulances and other emergency vehicles.<\/p>\n

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\u201cWe understand that some people could also be desperate, but we’re acting in accordance with protocols to activate aid and rescue efforts to assist those that need it most,\u201d Cabello said on state television. \u201cBe very careful with children and the elderly; call one another and check that nobody has been harmed.\u201d<\/p>\n

He also urged people to stay outside as aftershocks could further damage some structures.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe constructing really shook back and forth. Unreal. The force was incredibly strong,\u201d Caracas resident Roberto Gamas said. \u201cWe were walking and it was tossing us around. Every little thing within the apartment fell. Well, thank God we were capable of get out.\u201d<\/p>\n

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