MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed on Thursday that there are no Filipinos reported dead or hurt in the aftermath of the twin earthquakes that rocked Venezuela.
Reuters quoted a report from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) saying a magnitude 7.2 earthquake hit about 160 km (100 miles) west of the capital city Caracas, followed less than a minute later by a magnitude 7.5 tremor.
In its response to reporters, DFA said that the Philippine Embassy in Bogota, who has consular and assistance jurisdiction on Filipinos in Venezuela, is closely monitoring the situation following the June 24 earthquakes, that struck its northern coast.
“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.
“As of this writing, no reports of injuries or casualties were received from Filipino nationals in Venezuela,” DFA added.
The DFA also mentioned that the Philippine Embassy is in touch with Filipino nationals in the capital, and in the city of Barinas.
“They have been advised to shelter safely in place and monitor local news for updates,” DFA said.
In a report from Reuters, at least 32 people were killed and 700 were reported injured after dozens of buildings collapsed into piles of shattered concrete and steel in and around the capital Caracas.
Using predictive modeling to estimate the death toll, USGS said it would most likely run into the thousands, with a substantial probability of exceeding 10,000.
Many Venezuelans were at home when the quakes struck during the afternoon on a public holiday.
Interim President Delcy Rodriguez said the initial casualty figures do not include those from worst-affected La Guaira state, near Caracas and home to the city's airport, which had been closed.
"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," she said in an appearance on state television just before 1 a.m. local time (0500 GMT) on Thursday.
(With reports by Vivian Sequera and Mayela Armas in Caracas; Additional reporting by Deisy Buitrago and Reuters TV in Caracas, Tibisay Romero in Valencia, Venezuela, Keren Torres in Barquisimeto, Venezuela, Tathiana Ortiz in San Cristobal, Venezuela, Mariela Nava in Maracaibo, Venezuela, Marianna Parraga and Sheila Dang in Houston, Fabian Cambero in Santiago and Ana Isabel Martinez in Mexico City; Writing by Kylie Madry; Editing by Julia Symmes Cobb, Daina Beth Solomon, Lincoln Feast and Raju Gopalakrishnan / REUTERS)
