Key facts
- Two major earthquakes struck Venezuela on June 24.
- The earthquakes had magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5.
- At least 2,295 people were killed by the earthquakes.
- 29% of buildings in La Guaira were damaged.
- Venezuelan nationals deported from the U.S. arrived in Venezuela on June 24.
- A hotel housing deportees collapsed during the earthquakes.
- A security guard was rescued eight days after the earthquakes.
- An EU expert warned of a looming health crisis.
- Extreme heat and humidity are complicating relief efforts.
Venezuela was struck by two major earthquakes on Wednesday, June 24, with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, a rare seismic event known as a "doublet." The quakes caused widespread destruction, killing at least 2,295 people and damaging 29% of buildings in the coastal state of La Guaira. The death toll is feared to rise significantly.
Coincidentally, Venezuelan nationals deported from the United States arrived in their home country on the same day, June 24, just hours before the devastating earthquakes. Many of these deportees were reportedly housed in a hotel that collapsed during the seismic activity, leading to fears that many are now missing or dead.
Amidst the extensive devastation, a remarkable rescue occurred eight days after the earthquakes. A 44-year-old security guard was pulled alive from a collapsed basement, an event being hailed as a miracle.
An EU Civil Protection expert on the ground, João Almeida da Silva, has issued a warning about a looming health crisis in Venezuela. He stated that the focus of relief efforts is transitioning from search and rescue operations to providing medical assistance. Extreme heat and humidity are significantly complicating ongoing efforts in the affected regions.