Venezuelans Describe Twin Earthquake Panic As Geological Survey Says Up To 100,000 Lives Could Be Lost

Venezuelans have described scenes of panic and devastation after two powerful earthquakes struck near the country's capital, as experts warned the disaster could ultimately claim tens of thousands of lives.

The twin quakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude, hit within seconds of each other on Wednesday, sending residents fleeing into the streets as buildings shook violently across Caracas and surrounding regions.

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) issued a stark assessment of the disaster's potential impact. Using its earthquake alert system, known as PAGER, the agency estimated that the eventual death toll could fall anywhere between 10,000 and 100,000 people.

The estimate does not represent a confirmed casualty figure but is instead an early modelling tool designed to help governments and emergency responders assess the likely scale of a disaster.

The system considers factors including the earthquake's magnitude, depth, population exposure, ground shaking intensity and comparisons with previous earthquakes of a similar nature.

Among those caught up in the disaster was Venezuelan journalist Nicole Kolster, who was at home in Caracas when the first tremor struck.

"I saw the windows moving, and the only thing I could think to do was to get between the front door and a stone wall... to try to protect myself," she told BBC Mundo.

The shaking was so severe that Kolster feared her apartment block would collapse.

"It's the strongest quake I've ever felt in my life," she said. "It was so strong that I thought the building was going to fall on top of me."

Kolster remained sheltered inside her seventh-floor apartment until neighbours began calling for residents to evacuate.

"An hour after the quake, everyone is still outside waiting for safety in case there's an aftershock," she explained.

Two powerful earthquakes measuring 7.1 and 7.5 magnitude struck Venezuela, causing damage to some buildings in the capital, Caracas.

Tsunami warnings were issued following the quakes for Venezuela and nearby Caribbean islands. pic.twitter.com/EaggAXB9iX

— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) June 25, 2026

The earthquakes struck during a national holiday marking the 1821 Battle of Carabobo, meaning many people were at home when the disaster unfolded.

Images emerging from the affected areas showed terrified residents gathering in the streets, some in tears while others embraced loved ones amid fears of further collapses.

"There are people who are very sad, powerless because they couldn't get their pets out," Kolster said.

"Others tried to get their cars out of the building basements, fearing an aftershock might make things worse."

She also reported hearing calls for help coming from the rubble of a nearby collapsed building as emergency crews rushed to the scene.

The most severe damage has been reported in La Guaira, north of Caracas, where authorities say dozens of buildings have collapsed. Venezuela's acting president described the region as a "disaster zone" and a "true tragedy" as rescue operations continue.

Early reports indicated at least 32 deaths, although officials warned the figure is expected to rise as teams gain access to the worst-hit areas.

For many residents, the disaster has revived memories of the devastating 1967 Caracas earthquake, which measured 6.6 in magnitude and killed more than 200 people.

However, some survivors who experienced both disasters said Wednesday's earthquakes felt even more powerful.

"There was a very loud crash. Things fell in the house, jugs inside the refrigerator. I've never experienced anything like it," Coro Martinez, a 56-year-old resident of eastern Caracas, said.

Eighty-year-old pensioner Maria Romero added: "This earthquake was horrible, even worse than the one in 1967."

As night fell, some residents chose to sleep in tents and makeshift shelters on the streets, fearful that aftershocks could trigger further building collapses.

The USGS has classified the event with a rare red alert, a designation reserved for the most severe earthquakes worldwide and one that is typically issued only once or twice each year.