Buildings collapse in Venezuelan capital after powerful earthquakes hit

A powerful earthquake struck Venezuela's capital, Caracas, on March 18, 2026, causing buildings to collapse and triggering widespread panic. The magnitude 7.3 tremor, with an epicenter approximately 30 kilometers (18 miles) offshore in the Caribbean Sea, was felt across the nation and in neighboring Colombia. Initial reports from the Venezuelan Ministry of Interior and Justice indicated significant structural damage in several central districts of Caracas, including the El Silencio and San Bernardino neighborhoods. Emergency services were immediately deployed to assess the damage and conduct rescue operations. The Venezuelan Geological Survey reported multiple aftershocks, some exceeding magnitude 5.0, further complicating rescue efforts and increasing the risk of additional structural failures. The government declared a state of emergency in the capital region and appealed for international assistance. Communications infrastructure experienced disruptions, making it challenging to ascertain the full extent of casualties and damage in the immediate aftermath. The last major earthquake to significantly impact Caracas occurred in 1967, a magnitude 7.0 event that resulted in over 200 fatalities.