Venezuela earthquake highlights: Over 160 people dead, 11,000 reported missing; La Guaira declared ‘disaster zone’

Venezuela earthquake LIVE: Acting Venezuelan President Delcy Rodríguez on Thursday thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for expressing condolences and offering assistance following the powerful earthquakes that struck the country.

Responding to Modi's message on X, Rodríguez welcomed India's willingness to support relief efforts and said the gesture reflected the strong ties between the two nations.

"We warmly welcome the remarks by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who expressed his condolences and the Republic of India's willingness to support relief efforts in the wake of the severe consequences of the earthquakes that struck our country," Rodríguez said.

"The solidarity expressed by India is in keeping with the spirit of cooperation between our peoples in times of difficulty. We acknowledge these expressions of international support and are grateful for the expressions of solidarity we have received," she added.

Earlier, Modi said he was "deeply saddened by the devastation caused by the severe earthquakes in Venezuela" and offered India's support to the quake-hit nation.

Venezuela earthquake LIVE: China has offered support to Venezuela following the devastating earthquakes, saying it is prepared to provide assistance based on the country's needs.

A spokesperson for China's foreign ministry said Beijing "will do what it can to assist in light of Venezuela's need" as rescue and recovery operations continue across the affected regions, reported Reuters.

The ministry also said there have been no reports so far of Chinese citizens being killed or injured in the disaster.

Venezuela earthquake LIVE: People stand near destroyed buildings after an earthquake, in La Guaira, Venezuela, June 25, 2026.

Venezuela earthquake LIVE: Governments across Latin America have expressed solidarity with Venezuela and offered assistance as the country grapples with the aftermath of the devastating earthquakes.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said she had "ordered the necessary aid to be prepared" and noted that Venezuelan authorities had requested specialist rescue and medical personnel.

"For the time being, they have asked us for support in the form of specialist rescue and medical personnel. Mexico always stands in solidarity and always will," she wrote on X.

El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele said his country was ready to deploy emergency assistance.

"300 rescuers and paramedics, along with 50 tons of equipment, medicines, and basic supplies, are ready to leave for Caracas," Bukele wrote on X.

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said he had learned "with great concern and dismay" about the impact of the earthquake.

"I reaffirm our determination to support the government of Acting President Delcy Rodríguez in the recovery of the affected areas of that sister country, whose people have shown great resilience in the face of adversity," he added.

Cuba also pledged support, with Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla expressing condolences to Venezuela.

"I express my deepest condolences and solidarity to the government and brother people of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela for the loss of life and damage caused by the earthquake," he said on X.

Rodríguez added that "Cuban health workers there are fully mobilized and providing medical services to the affected population."

(via AFP)

Venezuela earthquake LIVE: Images circulating on social media and published by Venezuelan lawmaker Wilmer Azuaje appear to show parts of Simón Bolívar International Airport collapsing after the powerful earthquakes that struck Venezuela on Wednesday.

The images, shared on Instagram, allegedly capture sections of the airport damaged by the twin 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude quakes.

The airport, Venezuela's main international gateway, was earlier shut down after authorities reported significant damage to the facility.

Venezuela earthquake LIVE: Venezuela's major oil infrastructure appears to have escaped significant damage from the powerful earthquakes, according to people familiar with the situation cited by news agency Bloomberg.

The country's main refining hub at Paraguaná, located about 225 kilometres west of the earthquake epicentre, continued operating normally. Operations at the Jose port complex and the Puerto La Cruz refinery were also reported to be unaffected.

Even so, the disaster is expected to add pressure to Venezuela's already fragile economy, which has been grappling with high inflation and recurring power outages.

The earthquakes come at a time when the country is navigating a political transition following the capture of former president Nicolás Maduro in a US operation earlier this year.

Venezuela earthquake LIVE: The US Geological Survey (USGS) has warned that the human toll from Venezuela's devastating earthquakes could climb sharply as rescue and recovery efforts continue.

According to the agency's estimates, there is a 36 per cent probability that the death toll could reach up to 10,000 people. The USGS also assessed a 40 per cent chance that fatalities could rise as high as 1,00,000, reported BBC.

Venezuela earthquake LIVE: US secretary of state Marco Rubio said the United States is immediately deploying search-and-rescue teams, medical resources and humanitarian assistance to Venezuela following the devastating earthquakes.

In a post on X, Rubio said Washington was “immediately deploying search and rescue teams, medical resources, and humanitarian assistance to Venezuela”.

Venezuela earthquake LIVE updates: The twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela on Wednesday are among the most powerful tremors to hit the country in recent decades.

Historically, Venezuela's deadliest recent earthquake occurred in Caracas in 1967, killing 236 people. Another major quake struck the country's northeast in 1997, claiming 73 lives.

Venezuela earthquake LIVE updates: Authorities have ruled out the possibility of a tsunami following the powerful earthquakes that struck Venezuela on Wednesday.

Colombia's disaster management agency, UNGRD, said there is no tsunami risk linked to the earthquakes. The US National Tsunami Warning Center also dismissed concerns, stating in a post on X: “NO tsunami, NO danger from a recent earthquake.”

Venezuela earthquake LIVE updates: US President Donald Trump has offered immediate American assistance to Venezuela after two powerful earthquakes struck the country.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the quakes had caused extensive destruction and loss of life, adding that he had directed US government agencies to prepare for a rapid response.

"The USA stands ready, willing, and able to help!" Trump wrote. "I have instructed all agencies of our government to get ready to move quickly. We will be there for our new and great friends."

Trump also said that early reports from the disaster-hit country were concerning, writing: "Early reports are not good!!!"

Venezuela earthquake LIVE updates: Acting Venezuelan President Delcy Rodríguez said international rescue teams are expected to arrive in the country in the coming hours as authorities continue search and recovery operations following the devastating earthquakes.

Venezuela earthquake LIVE updates: Acting Venezuelan President Delcy Rodríguez said early Thursday that at least 32 people have died and more than 700 have been injured after two powerful earthquakes struck the country on Wednesday evening

Rodríguez warned that the toll is expected to rise as rescue teams continue searching through collapsed buildings and emergency crews reach some of the worst-hit areas affected by the 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude quakes.

Venezuela earthquake LIVE updates: Acting Venezuelan President Delcy Rodríguez has declared a state of emergency after two powerful earthquakes struck the country on Wednesday, triggering widespread damage and rescue operations.

In a televised address, Rodríguez confirmed that the disaster had claimed lives, extending her condolences to families who had "sadly suffered the loss of a family member." She did not disclose the death toll, reported AP.

Emergency teams have been deployed across affected areas. Authorities are still assessing the full extent of the destruction caused by the back-to-back quakes.

Venezuela earthquake LIVE updates: Although Venezuela lies near several fault lines, major earthquakes are relatively uncommon compared with other parts of Latin America.

The country sits between the South American and Caribbean tectonic plates, a geological setting that generally experiences less seismic activity than the Pacific coast.

Countries such as Mexico and Chile, by contrast, lie along the seismically active Ring of Fire – a tectonic belt responsible for about 90 per cent of the world’s earthquakes, according to the USGS.

Venezuela earthquake LIVE updates: People remain in the street after an earthquake in Caracas on June 24, 2026. A magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck Venezuela on Wednesday, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported, triggering panic in Caracas, according to news agency AFP.

Venezuela earthquake LIVE updates: Rescue workers search for survivor at a collapsed building after an earthquake in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, June 24, 2026.

Venezuela earthquake LIVE updates: Darwin González, mayor of Baruta Municipality in Caracas, said rescue teams have completed operations at collapsed structures in the Las Minas de Baruta area following the powerful earthquake.

In an update issued at 11:10 pm local time, González said personnel from Baruta Civil Protection and Baruta Police had concluded rescue efforts at the site.

According to the mayor, three people have died in the collapse, while all other residents trapped beneath the rubble were successfully rescued.

He added that injured victims are being treated at the Las Minas outpatient clinic, which is operating on backup power. The area, however, remains without electricity.

"I remain attentive to all your messages," González said.

Venezuela earthquake LIVE updates: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday expressed condolences over the devastation caused by the powerful earthquakes that struck Venezuela and said India stands ready to provide assistance.

"Deeply saddened by the devastation caused by the severe earthquakes in Venezuela," Modi said in a post, extending condolences to the Venezuelan government and the families of those who lost loved ones.

"India stands ready to extend all possible assistance," he added, while also wishing a speedy recovery to those injured and expressing solidarity with all those affected by the disaster.

Venezuela earthquake LIVE updates: As authorities scrambled to respond to the disaster, acting President Delcy Rodríguez directed healthcare professionals across the country to report to hospitals and assist in treating those injured by the quakes.

The Ministry of Education also announced late Wednesday that some schools would be converted into temporary shelters and donation centres for affected residents.