Magnitude 7.1 Earthquake Shakes Central Venezuela, Triggers Tsunami Alerts

A powerful magnitude 7.1 earthquake jolted central Venezuela on Wednesday afternoon, June 24, 2026, causing widespread panic and prompting tsunami warnings for several Caribbean islands. The seismic event occurred at 6:04 PM local time, with its epicenter located in Carabobo state, between the towns of Montalbán and Morón.

The earthquake's shallow depth of just 13.2 kilometers intensified its impact on the surface. In the capital, Caracas, residents fled offices, shopping centers, and residential buildings as strong oscillations caused facades to crumble and windows to shatter. Preliminary reports from social media and news outlets indicate severe structural damage, including significant cracks and falling debris in areas like Chacao and San Bernardino. Neighboring states, such as Miranda, also reported damage to homes and businesses.

Following the tremor, the U.S. Tsunami Warning System issued an alert for potential dangerous waves along the Venezuelan coast and for islands including Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. Neighboring Colombia reported the quake was felt in border cities and even Bogotá, though no major damage or tsunami threats were issued for its coast. As rescue teams work to assess collapsed structures, Venezuelan authorities have yet to release an official report on casualties.