RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has expressed condolences and sympathy to the families of the victims and to the government and people of Venezuela, following a deadly earthquake.
The Foreign Ministry, in a statement on Thursday, affirmed the Kingdom’s solidarity with Venezuela and its friendly people in this painful tragedy, wishing a speedy recovery to the injured and the safe return of those reported missing to their families.
#Statement | The Foreign Ministry expresses the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s deepest condolences and sincere sympathy to the families of the victims and to the government and people of the friendly Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, following the earthquake that struck the coastal… pic.twitter.com/YY7B02vjaN
— Foreign Ministry 🇸🇦 (@KSAmofaEN) June 25, 2026
At least 164 people have been killed and more than 970 injured after powerful twin earthquakes struck Venezuela, destroying buildings near the capital and sending residents into the streets in panic.
Interim President Delcy Rodriguez confirmed the rising toll on Thursday, saying La Guaira, north of Caracas, was among the hardest-hit areas. Authorities warned that the number of casualties could rise as rescue teams continued searching through collapsed structures.
Strongest quake since 1900
According to the United States Geological Survey, a magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck west of Caracas on Wednesday evening, followed within less than a minute by a stronger magnitude 7.5 tremor.
The agency said the second quake was part of a rare seismic doublet, with the 7.5-magnitude mainshock coming just 39 seconds after the 7.2-magnitude foreshock.
The 7.5 quake was Venezuela’s most powerful since 1900, when a 7.7-magnitude tremor struck offshore.
