Overview
On June 24, 2026, two powerful earthquakes struck north-central Venezuela in rapid succession, causing extensive damage across several states and in the Caracas metropolitan area. At approximately 6:04 p.m. local time, a magnitude 7.2 foreshock occurred near Yumare in north-central Venezuela. About 39 seconds later, a larger magnitude 7.5 mainshock struck nearby.
The first event occurred at a depth of approximately 20 km, while the magnitude 7.5 mainshock occurred at a shallower depth of about 10 km. People felt shaking across much of Venezuela and elsewhere in the region, and authorities evacuated buildings as far away as Brazil’s Amazon region, roughly 1,700 km from Caracas.
Damage and disruption
The earthquakes caused major damage in Caracas, La Guaira, and other affected areas. Buildings collapsed or sustained serious structural damage. The affected areas included Caracas neighborhoods such as Altamira and Los Palos Grandes, where residents reported building collapses and heavy structural damage.
The earthquakes damaged and closed Simón Bolívar International Airport, disrupting flight operations. Authorities suspended metro, rail, and gas services in some locations, while electricity, water service, and telecommunications disruptions complicated emergency response efforts. Collapsed buildings, toppled electric poles, and debris also blocked streets in parts of Caracas.
The magnitude 7.5 mainshock was Venezuela’s largest recorded earthquake since the magnitude 7.7 event of 1900. Venezuela has experienced destructive earthquakes before, including the 1812 earthquake sequence, which devastated Mérida and caused extensive damage in Caracas.
Cotality is actively monitoring the situation and will provide updates as new information becomes available.
