Venezuela Earthquakes Kill More Than 1,400

Two powerful earthquakes struck northern Venezuela within seconds of each other on the evening of June 24, killing at least 1,430 people as of Saturday and leaving rescuers racing to find survivors buried beneath collapsed buildings across the capital and the coast.

The first earthquake, measuring magnitude 7.2, struck near Yumare, in Yaracuy state, at 6:04 p.m. local time and was classified as a foreshock. It was followed 39 seconds later by a 7.5-magnitude mainshock that was the strongest tremor to hit the country in more than 125 years. At least 3,200 people have been injured, and 13 hospitals were damaged across the country.

Damage was concentrated in La Guaira and Caracas, where dozens of buildings collapsed. Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello identified the Los Palos Grandes and Altamira neighborhoods as the worst-affected parts of the city. In La Guaira, volunteers dug through wreckage with their hands nearly 24 hours after the earthquakes, facing a shortage of heavy equipment and very limited government assistance.

The disaster compounds an already severe crisis:. With nearly 8 million people inside Venezuela were already in need of urgent humanitarian support before the earthquakes struck.

The United States announced $150 million in aid, deploying search-and-rescue teams and directing the amphibious transport ship USS Fort Lauderdale and the USS Billings to support relief operations. Colombia announced it would send more than 60 rescuers and four search dogs, while Spain said it would deploy a field hospital. The United Nations coordinated the rapid deployment of urban search-and-rescue teams to Venezuela.

 

Myanmar Earthquake Kills Over 3,000 Across Southeast Asia

 A devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar on Friday, killing over 3,000 people and injuring more than 3,400 across Southeast Asia. The epicenter was near Mandalay, Myanmar's second-largest city, where buildings collapsed, leaving thousands homeless. Neighboring Thailand reported at least 18 deaths, with significant damage in Bangkok. A collapsed skyscraper construction site in Bangkok killed at least 11 workers.

The quake, the most powerful in Myanmar since 1912, caused widespread destruction of infrastructure, complicating rescue efforts. In Mandalay, residents described spending nights outdoors amid fears of aftershocks.

Relief efforts face challenges due to Myanmar’s ongoing civil war. Local volunteers are leading initial rescues, while international aid, including teams from China, India, and Singapore, has begun arriving. The United Nations allocated $5 million in emergency aid, and countries like the UK pledged millions more. However, shortages of medical supplies and damaged roads hinder operations.

In a rare move, Myanmar’s military government requested foreign assistance. Opposition groups declared a temporary ceasefire to focus on rescue efforts. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) launched a $100 million appeal for long-term recovery efforts.

As aftershocks continue, experts warn the death toll may rise further. The disaster has exposed vulnerabilities in Myanmar's infrastructure and underscored the urgent need for coordinated international support.

 

Major Earthquake Strikes Anchorage, Alaska

A magnitude 7.0 earthquake shook Alaska’s largest city Anchorage on Friday, triggering a tsunami warning while residents recovered from the violent shaking. The tsunami warning has since been lifted. The earthquake was followed by a 5.7 aftershock.

The earthquake’s reported damage so far has included  broken windows, cracks in buildings, and damaged roadways, including a highway collapse. No deaths have yet been reported.

Alaska is no stranger to earthquakes. Alaska experiences more large earthquakes than all other US states combined and has on average more than 40000 each year. It experienced a magnitude 7.9 near Kodiak Island back in January.