A video filmed just minutes after the devastating earthquakes in La Guaira on June 24, 2026, has gone viral on X, offering a raw glimpse into the disaster's aftermath. It features a person navigating through their home, which has been completely destroyed by debris, crying out in desperation until they finally make it to the street.
The footage, shared by user Lucy, captures the chaos unfolding in real-time. As the individual moves from room to room, they reveal the extent of the damage while desperately calling for help and warning that the structures are on the verge of collapse.
"Help, brother, look at what happened to the house," the video creator exclaims. "I can't get down. I can't get down, damn it. Help me, help me."
At one point, the person urgently warns: "This could collapse. This could collapse," as they search for a way out amidst the accumulated rubble.
The video also captures the moment when the individual confirms a tragic reality: "More than one dead. More than one person is trapped. Lord, why do these things happen, Lord?"
Upon finally reaching the outside, the scene on La Guaira's streets is one of utter devastation. It's then revealed that the individual is injured: "I'm bleeding. I'm bleeding. My head is split open, everything."
In one of the most heart-wrenching moments, the author anxiously inquires about their mother and someone named Marvin: "Is my mom there? Is my mom there? Marvin, is your mom there? Your mom is down there."
The video was flagged as sensitive content on X, requiring age verification for viewing.
Unprecedented Earthquakes and Their Aftermath
The two earthquakes, with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, struck Venezuela just 39 seconds apart, with the epicenter near Morón, Yaracuy state. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) identified them as the strongest recorded in the country since 1900, issuing a Red Alert with a 42% probability that the final death toll could range between 10,000 and 100,000 people.
La Guaira, the hardest-hit area, saw 250 buildings collapse, the José María Vargas Hospital destroyed, and the Maiquetía International Airport closed due to severe damage. NASA estimated between 59,000 and 63,000 structures across the affected region were damaged or destroyed.
As of this Wednesday, the official death toll stood at 2,295, with 11,267 injured and 12,841 displaced, according to the Venezuelan government. The UN estimated over 50,000 people missing and 6.76 million affected.
Criticism of Government Response
The response from Nicolás Maduro's regime has faced criticism. A volunteer went viral for confronting members of the Bolivarian National Guard with a phrase that encapsulated public outrage: "There are more rifles than shovels here," highlighting the lack of rescue tools amid the military presence.
Since the main tremors, more than 500 aftershocks have been recorded. This Wednesday, a 4.6 magnitude aftershock shook the area again, the strongest since the original earthquakes, in a region where thousands of families still search for their missing loved ones among the ruins.
FAQs About the Venezuelan Earthquakes
What were the magnitudes of the Venezuelan earthquakes?
The earthquakes had magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, occurring just 39 seconds apart.
How did the international community respond to the disaster?
The United Nations estimated over 50,000 people missing and 6.76 million affected, while NASA provided damage assessments. Criticism was directed at the Venezuelan government's response.
What areas were most affected by the earthquakes?
La Guaira was the most severely impacted, with 250 buildings collapsing and significant damage to infrastructure, including the Maiquetía International Airport.