Multiple Magnitude 7+ Earthquakes Rock Venezuela, Causing Building Collapses and Fatalities…

A series of powerful earthquakes measuring above magnitude 7 struck north-central Venezuela on the afternoon of June 24 local time, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

The USGS reported that the initial earthquake, originally measured at magnitude 7.1 and later revised to 7.2, struck northwest of Montalbán, approximately 200 kilometers from the capital, Caracas. The quake occurred at a depth of 21.9 kilometers.

According to preliminary reports, a second powerful earthquake measuring magnitude 7.5 occurred near the same epicenter within one minute of the first tremor. The strong shaking reportedly caused multiple building collapses and resulted in fatalities, although the full extent of the damage remains unclear.

Emergency Response Underway

In response to the disaster, Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez announced a nationwide state of emergency on behalf of President Nicolás Maduro. The Chinese Embassy in Venezuela said it had not received any reports of Chinese citizens being injured or killed in the affected areas. Authorities are continuing to assess the damage as rescue and emergency operations remain underway.