The Ardahan Newspaper | Since 1995 |
Following two successive major earthquakes that struck Venezuela on June 24, 2026, the worst-case scenario is rapidly becoming a grim reality. Although the official death toll has been announced as 164, local reports and rescue workers confirm that thousands of people remain trapped under the rubble.
Two Massive Shocks in 39 Seconds
The seismic disaster unfolded at 18:04 and 18:05 local time, separated by a mere 39 seconds. The initial shock registered a magnitude of 7.2 ($M_w$), striking 24 kilometers northeast of San Felipe in Yaracuy State at a depth of 21.9 km. It was instantly followed by a more devastating 7.5 ($M_w$) mainshock, centered 23 kilometers southeast of Yumare at a shallow depth of 10 km.
USGS Warning Signals Higher Casualties
Search and rescue teams are engaged in a desperate race against time. However, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) prompt assessment models indicate that the true scale of the disaster could be far more devastating than initially reported. Analysts warn that due to high population density and structural vulnerabilities across northern regions—including Caracas and La Guaira—the final death toll could potentially climb into the tens of thousands. The powerful tremors were felt as far as Colombia and Brazil, triggers emergency evacuations.
