The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed on Thursday that there have been no reports of Filipino casualties or injuries following the devastating twin earthquakes that hit Venezuela.
According to data from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) via Reuters, the disaster began with a magnitude 7.2 earthquake located roughly 160 kilometers west of the capital city of Caracas. Less than 60 seconds later, a massive magnitude 7.5 tremor followed.
The Philippine Embassy in Bogota, Colombia, which handles diplomatic and consular matters for Filipinos living in Venezuela, is actively tracking the aftermath of the June 24 disaster.
“The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), through the Philippine Embassy in Bogota, is closely monitoring the situation in Venezuela following two powerful earthquakes that struck its northern coast today, 24 June 2026,” the DFA stated.
The agency updated the public on the safety of overseas workers, stating:
“As of this writing, no reports of injuries or casualties were received from Filipino nationals in Venezuela,” the department added.
Embassy officials have established contact with the Filipino communities residing in Caracas and Barinas to ensure their well-being.
“They have been advised to shelter safely in place and monitor local news for updates,” the DFA said.
The earthquakes struck on a public holiday afternoon when many people were indoors, leading to severe devastation. Reuters reported that at least 32 people lost their lives and around 700 others sustained injuries as dozens of buildings buckled into rubble across Caracas.
The death toll is expected to rise sharply; USGS predictive models suggest final fatalities could reach into the thousands, potentially surpassing 10,000.
Emergency operations are currently underway, though official numbers do not yet account for areas hit hardest by the tremors.
Venezuelan Interim President Delcy Rodriguez noted that data is still missing from La Guaira state, a coastal region home to the capital’s primary international airport, which remains shut down.
“Dozens of buildings have collapsed, and we are currently carrying out very intense rescue efforts to save as many lives as God allows us to save,” Rodriguez said in an appearance on state television shortly before 1 a.m. local time on Thursday.