Quakes death toll hits 4,118 in Venezuela

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, July 12, 2026

Twin earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 struck Venezuela’s coastal state of La Guaira on June 24, resulting in 4,118 deaths and over 16,700 injuries while causing extensive destruction to infrastructure. The severity of the disaster amid Venezuela’s economic crisis has led to halted rescue efforts, a call for international aid, and urgent appeals to release frozen assets for recovery and relief operations.

The death toll from the twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela on June 24 has risen to 4,118, with at least 16,740 people injured, according to Venezuelan government officials. The quakes, occurring just 39 seconds apart, struck the coastal state of La Guaira, causing widespread devastation, including the collapse of entire high-rise apartment buildings.

The first tremor registered a magnitude of 7.2, followed closely by a more powerful 7.5 magnitude quake, the strongest Venezuela has experienced in over a century. These successive shocks flattened entire districts, leaving thousands missing and severe damage to infrastructure. In the aftermath, rescue teams have ceased active searches for survivors, but family members continue to comb through the rubble in hopes of recovering their loved ones and providing proper burials.

On July 10, a smaller 3.0 magnitude tremor was felt in the capital city, Caracas, prompting precautionary evacuations of buildings but causing no reported casualties. The recurring seismic activity has compounded concerns about safety and ongoing structural risks in the region.

The recovery operation faces significant challenges, as Venezuela’s public services have been weakened by a long-standing economic crisis. The government has called for international assistance to address the scale of the disaster. The United Nations issued an urgent appeal requesting nearly $300 million to support relief efforts, emphasizing the extensive humanitarian needs.

In response, Venezuela’s interim president, Delcy Rodriguez, urged the release of frozen Venezuelan assets held abroad to finance reconstruction and aid programmes. The government is seeking to mobilize resources quickly to support affected communities and rebuild essential infrastructure, though the economic constraints complicate the recovery process.

Authorities continue to account for missing individuals while managing the immediate humanitarian response. The situation remains fluid, with ongoing aftershocks raising concerns about further damage and the welfare of survivors.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.