Twin earthquakes in Venezuela leave thousands homeless and fear aftershocks

Two strong earthquakes struck Venezuela at about 6 p.m. on June 24. La Guaira state was hit hardest, with damage also in Caracas and the neighboring states of Miranda, Carabobo, Aragua, Falcón and Yaracuy.

The first official situation report listed 32 dead and more than 700 injured. By later that day, the toll had risen to 235 dead and 4,300 injured as searches continued through collapsed buildings and more casualties were expected. The United Nations humanitarian office recorded the two main shocks at about magnitude 7.2 and 7.5, followed by more than 20 aftershocks.

Maiquetía International Airport was closed, while metro and rail services were suspended. In La Guaira and Morón, residents dug through rubble by hand because heavy equipment was in short supply. Families who had nowhere safe to return to slept in streets, plazas and cars, and many others stayed outside after their buildings were declared uninhabitable.

The UN estimated that up to 6.8 million people could be affected, including about 3.9 million children in the impacted areas. UNICEF counted dozens of collapsed buildings, and homes, schools, health facilities and water systems may have been damaged. More than 41,000 people were listed as missing through an online portal.

Urgent needs for shelter, water, sanitation, health care and basic supplies grew as Venezuela faced a national emergency. International rescue teams and aid from the United States, Mexico, Spain and Qatar were being deployed, while the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies warned that people remained too frightened to re-enter their homes.