PRIANGANTIMURNEWS – Natural disasters have once again reminded us of the importance of being prepared to face the risk of earthquakes. Venezuela is currently in mourning after being shaken by a large earthquake which caused casualties and damage in various regions.
The Interim President of Venezuela, Delcy Rodriguez, on Wednesday 24 June 2026 revealed that at least 32 people died and around 700 others were injured as a result of the devastating earthquake that rocked the country on Wednesday local time. This data is the first official report regarding the impact of disaster victims.
Based on information from seismologists, the first earthquake measuring 7.2 occurred near the city of San Felipe, the capital of Yaracuy State. Not long after, about 40 seconds later, a second, stronger earthquake with a magnitude of 7.5 again rocked the southeastern area of Yumare City.
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This event was recorded as the largest earthquake ever to occur in Venezuela and the strongest in the last 125 years. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported that the epicenter of the earthquake was at a depth of about 10 kilometers below the earth’s surface, with the epicenter location west of the Moron coastal area.
Strong shaking was felt in the capital Caracas and caused a number of buildings to suffer damage and even collapse. This condition triggered a massive rescue effort by the local emergency team.
Rodriguez emphasized that the government’s main focus at this time is evacuating and rescuing residents who are still trapped under the rubble of destroyed buildings and houses. Quick steps are needed to minimize the increase in the number of victims.
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Meanwhile, the USGS warned that the number of victims had the potential to increase significantly as the search and data collection process was still ongoing. The latest technical data shows that the double earthquake shook the northern region of Venezuela with very strong intensity.
Disaster mitigation, infrastructure readiness and public education regarding rescue measures during an earthquake are important factors in reducing the risk of loss of life when a natural disaster occurs.***
