Venezuela Earthquake: Runway Turns Into Rolling Waves, Planes Thrown by Powerful Twin Quakes (Watch Video)
Back-to-back earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 struck Venezuela on Wednesday, violently shaking aircraft and cracking runways at Simón BolÃvar International Airport. The powerful tremors have forced the country's main international airport to shut indefinitely as authorities respond to the growing national emergency.
Passengers strapped into their seats at Simón BolÃvar International Airport on Wednesday evening expected nothing more than a routine pre-flight taxi. Instead, ground-level videos have captured the terrifying moment a pair of massive earthquakes turned the tarmac into a rolling wave, violently tossing massive commercial jets on their landing gear and cracking the runways apart. The back-to-back tremors-a magnitude 7.2 foreshock followed just 39 seconds later by a catastrophic 7.5 mainshock-have paralyzed north-central Venezuela, leaving the country's primary international gateway indefinitely closed amid a mounting national crisis.
Tarmac Footage Reveals Intense Shaking
The videos, recorded by airport ground crew and passengers onboard stationary aircraft, capture the moment the twin seismic waves rippled through the airfield in MaiquetÃa. The footage shows large commercial jets bouncing noticeably on their landing gear as the concrete tarmac shifts beneath them. Venezuela Earthquakes Death Toll Rises to 235, Says Health Ministry.
Inside the main terminal buildings, the scene was equally unstable. Separate videos verified by news outlets show travelers fleeing toward exits as sections of the ceiling panels collapsed, sending plaster and debris raining down onto the check-in counters and baggage claim areas. Dust plumes briefly filled the corridors as panicked passengers scrambled to clear-span safety zones outside the structure.
Infrastructure Damage Forces Airport Shutdown
The National Institute of Civil Aeronautics (INAC) announced an immediate suspension of all commercial flight operations following the event. Engineering teams conducting rapid overnight assessments discovered significant structural damage to the airport’s airside facilities.
The primary runway (10R/28L) suffered deep, expansive cracks across its surface, rendering it unsafe for heavy jet takeoffs and landings. A formal Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) has officially closed the main runway until at least July 2, 2026, while repair crews evaluate the underlying ground stability. All inbound commercial international flights are currently being diverted to alternate regional hubs or specialized military fields, such as the El Libertador air base in Maracay. What Is a Doublet Earthquake? Here’s Why Venezuela Was Hit by Twin Quakes Just 39 Seconds Apart.
Shocking Video Shows Aircraft Rocking During Powerful Tremors at Airport
Videos show the shaking aboard an airplane on the ground at Venezuela’s Simon Bolivar International Airport during one of Wednesday's powerful earthquakes. https://t.co/mkwoqM7oQu pic.twitter.com/w36gHnXPY1
— ABC News (@ABC) June 26, 2026
Regional Devastation and Background
According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the shallow, back-to-back earthquakes originated near the Yaracuy region at a depth of roughly 10 kilometers, making the shaking highly perceptible. The seismic event was felt as far away as neighboring Colombia and parts of the Caribbean.
Acting President Delcy RodrÃguez has declared a nationwide state of emergency, designating the local La Guaira municipality a disaster zone. Official reports confirm at least 188 deaths and over 1,500 injuries nationwide, with numbers expected to rise as search-and-rescue teams continue clearing debris from collapsed buildings in residential sectors of eastern Caracas.
Emergency response teams, supported by the Venezuelan Red Cross, are currently prioritizing the distribution of supplies and establishing temporary shelters. Local aviation officials emphasize that while humanitarian flights carrying aid will be permitted under strict management, normal civilian air travel through Simón BolÃvar International Airport will remain halted until comprehensive runway restorations are completed.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 26, 2026 09:35 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
