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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 Bay Area (KNTV, NBC)
· 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 San Francisco
The devastating earthquakes in Venezuela serve as a stark reminder to San Francisco residents of the importance of earthquake preparedness. As a city situated near multiple fault lines, San Francisco is vulnerable to powerful quakes, and the destruction in Venezuela could easily be replicated here. The fact that Venezuela's position straddling the South American and Caribbean plates makes strong earthquakes less common is a sobering thought, as San Francisco's own geography puts it at risk for significant seismic activity. The images of collapsed buildings and debris-filled streets in Venezuela are a grim reminder of the potential consequences of a major earthquake in San Francisco, and the need for residents to be prepared and for the city to have robust emergency response plans in place. The private sector's role in providing heavy construction equipment for rescue operations in Venezuela also highlights the potential for local businesses to play a critical role in San Francisco's own disaster response efforts.
About this story
Original reporting by NBC Bay Area (KNTV, NBC) . The San Francisco 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 Bay Area (KNTV, NBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 24, 2026 ·
Source: NBC Bay Area (KNTV, NBC) ·
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 Bay Area (KNTV, NBC) and curated for The San Francisco readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Regina Garcia Cano and Juan Pablo Arraez | The Associated Press at NBC Bay Area (KNTV, NBC). To learn more about how The San Francisco selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The San Francisco, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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