Two powerful earthquakes struck central Venezuela on Wednesday afternoon, June 25, 2024 [4], causing buildings to collapse in several regions.

The near-simultaneous nature of the tremors created a severe seismic emergency, increasing the risk of structural failure and complicating immediate rescue efforts in affected areas.

The U.S. Geological Survey said that the two quakes, measuring 7.2 [1] and 7.5 [2] in magnitude, occurred only 39 seconds apart [3]. The epicentre was located northwest of the municipality of Montalbán in Carabobo state [2].

Fishermen on a boat captured video evidence of the destruction, filming collapsed buildings from the water [1]. The seismic activity was felt as far as the capital city, Caracas, which is located approximately 300 km from the epicentre [5].

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the activity resulted from tectonic movement along the Caribbean-South American plate boundary [1]. The rapid succession of the two events, separated by less than one minute, likely amplified the damage to urban infrastructure.

Local reports from Mundiario said the event was one of the most significant seismic emergencies the region has faced in decades [2]. The tremors caused widespread alarm across the central part of the country, with the most intense shaking concentrated near Montalbán [2].

Emergency responders have been monitoring the affected zones for further aftershocks. The U.S. National Tsunami Warning Center also monitored the situation as the tremors reached the capital [5].

“The two sismos, of magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5, occurred with barely 39 seconds of difference.”

The occurrence of two high-magnitude earthquakes within 39 seconds suggests a complex rupture process along the Caribbean-South American plate boundary. Such 'doublet' events can be more destructive than a single quake because the first tremor weakens structural integrity, leaving buildings highly vulnerable to the second shock immediately after.