Two Major Earthquakes Hit Venezuela in Seconds, Multiplying Damage

A 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck northwestern Venezuela on June 24, followed within seconds by a stronger 7.5 magnitude quake. Both centered near San Felipe in Yaracuy state, 160 kilometers west of Caracas. The rare back-to-back rupture meant buildings already weakened by the first shock faced a second, larger impact. Thousands were trapped beneath rubble across the capital and surrounding areas.