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

KEVIN SHALVEYFri, June 26, 2026 at 2:55 AM UTC

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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.

The death toll from the pair of powerful earthquakes that rocked Venezuela on Wednesday has risen to at least 235, according to the country's health minister, who spoke on state media.At least 4,300 people were injured, according to the latest figures provided by the official.

Leonardo Fernandez Viloria/Reuters - PHOTO: People search for casualties amid the rubble of a collapsed building, in the aftermath of earthquakes in Caracas, Venezuela, June 25, 2026.

U.S. Southern Command said it is "surging" military forces in the region to assist in earthquake relief efforts.Two U.S. Navy ships and aircraft in the Caribbean have been assigned to support the U.S. quake relief operations in Venezuela that are being led by the State Department, the command said.The amphibious ships USS Fort Lauderdale and the littoral combat ships USS Billings are being moved closer to Venezuela to provide assistance.

Juan Barreto/AFP via Getty Images - PHOTO: Residents search for victims through the rubble of a collapsed building in Catia La Mar, La Guaira state, about 30 km northwest of Caracas, June 25, 2026, following an earthquake.

In addition, transport aircraft and helicopters are being sent."These forces will provide specialized mobility services and support to U.S. government personnel, search and rescue teams, and U.S. interagency partners as they assess damage, locate the injured, and deliver critical, life-saving assistance," SOUTHCOM said in a statement.-ABC News' Luis Martinez

U.S. Southern Command is sending U.S. Marine Maj. Gen. Kevin Jarrard to Venezuela to oversee the Pentagon's earthquake relief efforts.

U.s. Southern Command - PHOTO: U.S. Southern Command released this photo of U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Kevin J. Jarrard is en route to Caracas, Venezuela.

The Pentagon is supporting efforts by the State Department, which is responsible for U.S. government relief efforts.-ABC News' Luis Martinez

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

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.

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

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

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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.

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

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.

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

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

The two powerful earthquakes may become the most devastating in Venezuela's modern history.

Federico Parra/AFP via Getty Images - A man inspects a collapsed apartment building following an earthquake in Catia La Mar, La Guaira state, 30km north-west of Caracas, June 25, 2026. VENEZUELA-EARTHQUAKE

Venezuela sits along the Caribbean plate. It is not part of the infamous Ring of Fire that snakes around the Pacific Ocean, where earthquakes -- especially of higher magnitude -- are relatively common.An earthquake of this high a magnitude causes so much damage in a place like Venezuela because Venezuela's infrastructure is not as prepared as countries along the Ring of Fire, like Japan.

Ronald Pena/EPA/Shutterstock - PHOTO: Residents walk through the rubble of damaged apartment buildings following the twin 7.2 and 7.5-magnitude earthquakes that struck the country, in Catia la Mar, Venezuela, June 25, 2026.

The U.S. Geological Survey estimates that the death toll will likely go over 1,000 and potentially could exceed 10,000. -ABC News' Kenton Gewecke

The U.S. Southern Command said it is working with the State Department to support a U.S. government relief operation in Venezuela."Our joint forces are moving quickly to bring the unmatched airlift, logistics, and lifesaving capabilities of the U.S. military to help save lives and support the Government of Venezuela during this crisis," a SOUTHCOM statement said.

Pedro Mattey/AP Photo - PHOTO: Rescue workers search through the rubble after an earthquake in La Guaira, Venezuela, June 25, 2026.

Federico Parra/AFP via Getty Images - PHOTO: People stand before damaged homes following an earthquake in Catia La Mar, La Guaira state, 30km north-west of Caracas, June 25, 2026.

-ABC News' Luis Martinez

Simón Bolívar International Airport, Venezuela's main airport in Caracas, will be closed until at least Friday, according to the Interior Ministry.

Pedro Mattey/AP Photo - PHOTO: A man walks among the rubble of a building that collapsed in an earthquake in La Guaira, Venezuela, June 25, 2026.

-ABC News'Aicha El Hammar

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Source: “AOL Breaking”