On June 24, 2026, two significant earthquakes occurred in north-central Venezuela, leading to building collapses and widespread panic. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reported that a 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck Morón, approximately 130 miles west of Caracas, at a depth of about 8 miles, followed by a 7.5-magnitude quake just 39 seconds later at a depth of about 6 miles. The USGS issued a red alert, indicating a high likelihood of casualties and extensive damage.
Venezuelan authorities have not yet released casualty figures, but emergency crews are responding to reports of collapsed buildings, damaged homes, and power outages. Interior Minister Diosado Cabello confirmed that rescue operations are ongoing and advised residents to stay outdoors due to the risk of aftershocks, urging them to keep roads clear for emergency vehicles.
Videos shared on social media depicted residents fleeing into the streets as buildings crumbled. The tremors were also felt in neighboring Colombia, prompting the evacuation of some buildings as a precaution. The U.S. Tsunami Warning System briefly issued alerts for Puerto Rico and the U.S. and British Virgin Islands, which were later canceled.
Venezuela is located at the junction of the Caribbean and South American tectonic plates, making it susceptible to earthquakes. While smaller quakes are common, the severity of Wednesday's events is less frequent. In related seismic activity, a magnitude 5.6 earthquake occurred in Northern California, and a magnitude 6.9 quake struck off Japan's northeastern coast, with no significant damage reported in those areas.