Double Earthquake Rocks Country, Officials Report Thousands Of Casualties In Massive Disaster
World
State Of Emergency Declared, Casualties Confirmed After Double Earthquake Devastates Venezuela
(Photo by Jesus Vargas/Getty Images)
Leena Nasir Entertainment Reporter June 25, 2026 12:14 AM ET June 25, 2026 12:14 AM ET Leena Nasir Entertainment Reporter Font Size:Two back-to-back earthquakes struck north-central Venezuela on Wednesday afternoon, prompting fears of mass casualties and widespread destruction.
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reported that a 7.2 magnitude earthquake shook the region west of the community of Morón, located along the country’s Caribbean coast, followed by a larger 7.5-magnitude earthquake just 39 seconds later.
Devastating footage showed collapsed buildings as rescuers scrambled to find survivors.
“There is a 40% chance of more than 10,000 fatalities following both earthquakes,” the USGS reported on their website.
“High casualties and extensive damage are probable and the disaster is likely widespread.”
As of Thursday morning, 164 deaths and over 1,000 casualties were reported.
The USGS noted that “past red alerts have required a national or international response.”
Venezuela’s acting president, Delcy Rodríguez, declared a state of emergency in the affected region and confirmed that fatalities had occurred, though she did not disclose the number of casualties at the time, according to CNN. She also reported that Maiquetia’s Simón Bolívar International Airport was closed after sustaining damage.
People gather on a street next to a damaged car and building following an earthquake in Valencia, Venezuela on June 24, 2026. Two earthquakes of magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 struck the same area of Venezuela on the evening of June 24, causing buildings to collapse, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS) and AFP journalists. The quakes drove residents of the capital, Caracas, into the streets. (Photo by Jacinto OLIVEROS / AFP via Getty Images)
Rodríguez told the press that hundreds of emergency responders had been mobilized as rescue efforts intensified across the affected region.
A Caracas resident who survived after escaping a damaged building told CNN “the scene was like a horror movie.”
Resident Amparo Díaz told CNN en Español she felt “a roar coming from the ground” as panic set in.
“The walls were moving, and I felt as if I were in water,” Díaz said. She told the outlet she lay on the floor of her fourth floor apartment and prayed for her life as the walls cracked all around her.
“The kitchen collapsed,” she said.
She told CNN, “The living room wall is about to fall; one more movement and it will come down.”
The US stands with the Venezuelan people in the aftermath of this evening’s devastating earthquakes. We’re in touch with the authorities and mobilizing assistance. May God bless our Venezuelan friends at this difficult moment. ¡Fuerza Venezuela! ¡Estamos con Ustedes! 🇺🇸🙏🇻🇪
— Christopher Landau (@DeputySecState) June 25, 2026
Images and videos of the devastating aftermath of the twin earthquakes are now flooding social media, offering a stark glimpse into the destruction left behind.
Amid the crisis, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau expressed solidarity with Venezuelans and pledged support.
CARACAS, VENEZUELA – JUNE 24: Firefighters and responders search for victims in a demolished building at San Bernardino after a magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck Venezuela and other regions in the Caribbean on June 24, 2026 in Caracas, Venezuela. According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the main earthquake was followed by a 7.5-magnitude aftershock less than a minute later; although some buildings collapsed, the number of victims remains unknown. (Photo by Jesus Vargas/Getty Images)
“We’re in touch with the authorities and mobilizing assistance,” he wrote Wednesday on X. (RELATED: Oliver Tree Dead In Mid-Air Helicopter Crash At Age 32)
“May God bless our Venezuelan friends at this difficult moment.”
This story continues to develop.
Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
