Catastrophic Earthquake Rocks Caracas, South American Capital

Thu Jun 25 2026 10:14:29 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

A 7.5‑magnitude quake hit Caracas in seconds, collapsing buildings and prompting a state‑of‑emergency declaration.

Two powerful quakes struck Caracas just seconds apart, the second reaching magnitude 7.5, a record for Venezuela in a century. Mega‑structures collapsed, residents fled to streets while BBC reporters captured the disaster live. The interim president declared a state of emergency, signalling nationwide disaster response.

Catastrophic Earthquake Rocks Caracas, South American Capital

In a terrifying sequence, two powerful earthquakes struck the Venezuelan capital of Caracas just seconds apart. The second shock, registering a magnitude of 7.5, is the strongest tremor to hit the country in the past 100 years.

The blasts sent buildings crashing to the ground. Witnesses saw entire structures collapse, while people hurried into the streets, seeking escape routes and shelter from falling debris. Live footage from BBC reporters captured the frantic scenes, providing a stark visual of the devastation.

Venezuela’s interim president, Delcy Rodríguez, immediately declared a state of emergency for the country. The declaration activates disaster‑response protocols across government agencies and signals that urgent aid and coordination will be mobilized.

Officials are calling for international assistance, as the magnitude of the damage threatens to overwhelm local emergency services. Rescue teams are on the ground, battling through rubble to locate survivors.

You can read more about the ongoing response here: More on this story.