Chaos has engulfed Venezuela following a double earthquake measuring 7.2 and 7.5 on the Richter scale, which struck the region in the late afternoon of Wednesday, June 24, 2026 — early Thursday morning local time in Greece. The tremors devastated Caracas and triggered widespread destruction.
Casualties and Damage
As of Thursday morning, authorities have confirmed 32 fatalities. However, initial assessments of the dual seismic impact are grim, with estimates suggesting the death toll could reach as high as 100,000.
Caracas Maiquetía International Airport in Crisis
The Simón Bolívar International Airport — located in Maiquetía, La Guaira, about 40 kilometers from Caracas — was forced to close due to ‘severe damage,’ according to an official statement by interim President Rodríguez.
Videos circulating online show scenes of panic inside the airport terminal: passengers sprinting in terror while large sections of the ceiling collapse overhead. Social media users shared footage under hashtags including #temblor, #sismo, and #Terremoto.
Regional Impact
Seismic waves were strongly felt across the border in Colombia. Though Bogotá — Colombia’s capital — lies approximately 1,000 kilometers from Caracas in a straight line, residents reported noticeable shaking.