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At least 164 dead and 971 injured after powerful quakes rock Venezuela
By Regina Garcia Cano and Juan Pablo Arraez | The Associated Press at NBC Los Angeles (KNBC)
· June 24, 2026
· 5 min read
At least 164 people have died and 971 were injured after a pair of powerful quakes rocked Venezuela, Acting President Delcy Rodríguez said Thursday.
Wednesday evening’s 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes were among the strongest to strike Venezuela in more than a century and could be felt throu...
Key takeaway 5 magnitude earthquakes were among the strongest to strike Venezuela in more than a century and could be felt throughout the region.
Why this matters in The Los Angeles
The devastating earthquakes in Venezuela serve as a stark reminder for Los Angeles residents to be prepared for seismic activity, given the city's own position on the San Andreas Fault. While the likelihood of a quake of this magnitude occurring in Los Angeles is difficult to predict, the city's history of significant earthquakes underscores the need for ongoing emergency preparedness and infrastructure reinforcement. As rescue efforts continue in Venezuela, Los Angeles can draw lessons from the importance of having robust search and rescue teams, as well as accessible heavy construction equipment, to respond quickly and effectively in the event of a disaster. Furthermore, the Venezuelan government's establishment of a reconstruction fund highlights the potential long-term economic implications of a major earthquake, emphasizing the need for Los Angeles to have its own plans in place for post-disaster recovery and rebuilding.
About this story
Original reporting by NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) . The Los Angeles surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 24, 2026 ·
Source: NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) ·
Reading time: 5 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? At least 164 people have died and 971 were injured after a pair of powerful quakes rocked Venezuela, Acting President Delcy Rodríguez said Thursday.
Wednesday evening’s 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes were among the strongest to strike Venezuela in more than a century and could be felt throu...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 24, 2026 by NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) and curated for The Los Angeles readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Regina Garcia Cano and Juan Pablo Arraez | The Associated Press at NBC Los Angeles (KNBC). To learn more about how The Los Angeles selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Los Angeles, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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