Powerful Earthquakes Rattle Venezuela and Japan; Structural Damage Reported (Watch Video)

A series of major earthquakes rattled international communities on Wednesday evening and Thursday morning, with Venezuela suffering extensive structural damage from a rare "double event" and Japan experiencing sharp tremors off its northern coast. In Venezuela, back-to-back earthquakes measuring 7.1 and 7.5 magnitude struck the country's northern coast less than two minutes apart on Wednesday evening. The tremors caused multiple buildings to collapse in the capital city of Caracas, located roughly 168 kilometers east of the epicenter, sending panicked residents fleeing into the streets.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reported that the first 7.1 magnitude quake originated near the coastal town of Morón at a depth of 22 kilometers. It was immediately followed by a shallow 7.5 magnitude earthquake just 10 kilometers below the surface, which intensified the destruction across several states. Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello described the situation as "alarming," noting severe structural damage in Caracas' Altamira neighborhood. Emergency rescue protocols have been activated, and authorities have urged citizens to remain outdoors as emergency crews navigate debris and brace for imminent aftershocks. Tokyo Earthquake: Magnitude 5.5 Quake Strikes Japan Capital, No Tsunami Warning Issued.

The primary seismic event in South America also triggered brief regional alerts. The U.S. Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued localized advisories regarding potential sea-level fluctuations and hazardous ocean currents for the coasts of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

Hours later, a separate 6.9 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Iwate Prefecture in northern Japan at a depth of 51 kilometers. The tremor disrupted peak-hour morning transit on Thursday, forcing the temporary suspension of the Tohoku Shinkansen bullet train line. Pulwama Earthquake: 3.5-Magnitude Tremor Shakes Jammu and Kashmir, Triggers Panic.

Venezuela Hit by 6.8 Magnitude Earthquake

While the shaking was felt as far south as Tokyo, Japan’s Meteorological Agency confirmed that there was no threat of a tsunami, and no immediate casualties or severe structural damage were reported. The simultaneous disasters highlight a highly active period of global seismic movement. Earlier on Wednesday, a 5.6 magnitude earthquake was also recorded off the northern coast of California, though it resulted in minimal disruption compared to the severe impacts felt in South America.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 25, 2026 07:39 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).