Live

Venezuela earthquakes live updates: Death toll rises at least 235, health minister says

Two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela on Wednesday evening.

ByKevin Shalvey
Last Updated: June 25, 2026, 10:55 PM EDT

Over 200 people were killed and more than 4,000 were injured as a pair of powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela on Wednesday evening, officials said.

The two quakes -- a 7.2 magnitude one followed just seconds later by a 7.5 -- struck the coast of Venezuela, knocking down buildings in Caracas, the capital, and sending residents racing into the street.

Responders are undertaking "intensive rescue operations" Thursday, searching for people thought to be under the rubble, acting President Delcy Rodriguez said.

Key Headlines

Here's how the news is developing.
Jun 25, 2026, 6:30 PM EDT

Search and rescue teams from Virginia, California to join effort

The Urban Search and Rescue teams based out of Fairfax County, Virginia, and Los Angeles County, California, have both confirmed they are mobilizing units as part of the State Department's response to the earthquakes.

The Fairfax team said it is sending 80 people and six dogs to Venezuela, while the County of Los Angeles Fire Department said its team will consist of 71 people and six canines.

-ABC News' Shannon Kingston

Jun 25, 2026, 4:16 PM EDT

State Department mobilizes $150M for Venezuela

The State Department says it will mobilize $150 million in assistance for Venezuela and stand up a task force to coordinate the distribution of that assistance.

Neighbors comfort Gabriela Rojas, center, as she mourns in front of her damaged home, where two of her children died during earthquakes that struck La Guaira, Venezuela, June 25, 2026.
Pedro Mattey/AP Photo

Neighbors carry a man rescued from the rubble of a collapsed building a day after earthquakes struck La Guaira, Venezuela, June 25, 2026.
Pedro Mattey/AP Photo

The Department of Defense is expected to assist in the response by leveraging military assets already in the region and deploying personnel to “accelerate the delivery of life-saving assistance,” the State Department said, adding that it will also leverage aircraft to help U.S. government personnel, the search and rescue teams, and partners get into place so they can "assess damage, find the injured, and deliver critical life-saving assistance."


-ABC News’ Shannon Kingston

Jun 25, 2026, 2:16 PM EDT

Death toll climbs to 188

At least 188 people are dead and another 1,520 are injured following the two devastating earthquakes, according to Jorge Rodríguez, President of the National Assembly of Venezuela.

People search for casualties amid the rubble of collapsed buildings, in the aftermath of earthquakes in La Guaira, Venezuela, June 25, 2026.
Maxwell Briceno/Reuters

Rescue teams from the U.S., Mexico, Spain, Qatar and the United Nations are a heading to Venezuela to help, Rodríguez said.

At least 2,927 families have been impacted, Rodríguez said, and he called for people to remain at home.

Jun 25, 2026, 1:32 PM EDT

How to help the victims

Click here to learn about some of the organizations helping those affected by the earthquakes.

Residents walk among the rubble of building damaged in earthquakes the previous day in Catia La Mar, Venezuela, June 25, 2026.
Pedro Mattey/AP Photo

Related Topics

Sponsored Content by Taboola