Overview
- The twin earthquakes struck on Wednesday, June 24, with reported magnitudes of about 7.2 and 7.5 and caused widespread building collapses and infrastructure damage along the northern coast, especially in La Guaira.
- Venezuelan officials say more than 1,700 people have died and thousands are injured while private missing-person registries and some reports list roughly 40,000–50,000 people unaccounted for.
- A preliminary NASA satellite assessment estimated about 58,870 buildings were damaged or destroyed and the United Nations warns up to about 6.8 million people could be affected, increasing needs for food, water, shelter and medical care.
- Search-and-rescue operations by local crews and international teams continue but relief groups say the critical 72-hour survival window has passed and efforts are shifting toward recovery, body retrieval and emergency sheltering.
- Dozens of countries and UN agencies have deployed rescuers and supplies, the United States has provided more than $300 million and logistical support, and Venezuela’s interim government has launched building inspections and temporary camps while facing criticism over access and coordination.