Deadly Venezuela Earthquake Kills More Than 170 – Emergency Declared
June 25, 2026 Team Contributor
On June 24, 2026, Venezuela was struck by two powerful, back-to-back earthquakes, scientifically called the “doublet” event, causing widespread destruction, claiming more than 150 lives and leaving close to 1000 injured. The numbers will go up. The event has triggered a nationwide state of emergency.
- 18:04 VET: The first earthquake (magnitude 7.2) strikes near Yumare in the state of Yaracuy.
- 18:05 VET: A second, more powerful earthquake (magnitude 7.5) occurs just 39 seconds later in the same region, significantly compounding the structural damage.
The sheer impact of the Venezuela earthquake is evident in the fact that this doublet is the most powerful seismic event to hit Venezuela since 1900. A strike-slip fault somewhere at the boundary of the Caribbean and South American tectonic plates caused the catastrophic event.
All flights have been cancelled from the Simón Bolívar International Airport in La Guaira, which suffered extensive damage. Across Caracas, Miranda, La Guaira, Aragua, Carabobo, and Falcón, widespread damage to structures, missing and injured people have been reported. Communication and power grids are not functioning.
In the Venezuela earthquake, maximum reported losses have come from La Guaira state, with numerous collapsed buildings making rescue work difficult. Acting President Delcy Rodríguez has described it as a “disaster zone”.
Carlos Mendez, a resident of the Chacao district in Caracas, was at his desk when the first tremor hit. He is currently among those seeking shelter in a makeshift relief camp.
“It wasn’t just shaking; it was a violent, rhythmic tearing,” he told aid workers. “The sound of the concrete failing was louder than any siren I’ve ever heard. In seconds, my office was unrecognisable—the ceiling tiles were gone, and the air was thick with pulverised drywall.”
The frightful event captured at JW Marriott hotel in Caracas shows the intensity of the Venezeula earthquake.
Status for Canadians in Venezuela
The Government of Canada maintains a standing “Avoid all travel” advisory for Venezuela. This advisory, which was in place well before the seismic events of June 24, 2026, is based on a volatile combination of high levels of violent crime, political and economic instability, terrorism risks, and the near-total collapse of basic healthcare infrastructure.
Given the current earthquake emergency, the following considerations apply to any Canadian citizens currently in the region:
- Heightened Risk: The earthquake has severely damaged critical infrastructure, including the closure of Caracas’s Simón Bolívar International Airport. This significantly limits foreign nationals’ ability to evacuate or receive consular support.
- Consular Limitations: Canadian citizens requiring emergency assistance are advised that consular services are extremely restricted. If you are a Canadian in Venezuela, you should:
- Register: Ensure you are registered with the Registration of Canadians Abroad service if possible, though local internet and power outages may make this difficult.
- Monitor Local Media: Follow instructions from Venezuelan local authorities.
- Shelter in Place: Due to the damage to buildings and infrastructure, stay in secure areas away from damaged structures.
- Emergency Contact: For those in need of urgent information or assistance, you may contact the Emergency Watch and Response Centre in Ottawa at +1 613 996 8885 (call collect where available) or email
so*@**************gc.ca.
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