Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Caracas (Fides News Agency) – The provisional toll from the violent earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 on the Richter scale that struck central Venezuela and the capital, Caracas, at 6:04 p.m. local time on June 24 continues to rise. Authorities report nearly 50,000 people missing, 235 confirmed dead and more than 4,300 injured.
Numerous buildings have collapsed, particularly in La Guaira, the area hardest hit, and in Caracas. Critical infrastructure has also suffered extensive damage: Maiquetía International Airport, the subway, rail services and schools have all been closed, while hospitals, shopping centers and churches have sustained significant damage.
The international community has responded swiftly, with humanitarian aid and messages of solidarity arriving from around the world.
The Salesian Information Agency reports that communications with areas closest to the epicenter remain largely disrupted, making direct contact extremely difficult.
"In many areas, electricity is still unavailable or unstable, while rescue teams are operating under extremely complex conditions to reach those affected and assess the extent of the damage".
Venezuela is located in a seismically active region due to its position between the South American and Caribbean tectonic plates, with major active fault lines such as San Sebastián and El Pilar.
Rescue operations are continuing as the situation evolves.
According to the Salesian Congregation, "the latest report from the Planning and Development Office (PDO) of the Venezuela 'St. Luke' Province, based in Caracas, indicates that several Salesian institutions have suffered damage. The Don Bosco School and Church in Sarria were the most severely affected, suffering major structural damage. Less extensive damage has also been reported in Altamira, La Dolorida, Mariches and at San José High School."
Despite the scale of the disaster, all Salesians who have been contacted are safe, and no casualties have been reported within the Salesian Family.
Heavy structural damage has been recorded in both Caracas and La Guaira.
The newly installed Provincial of the Salesians in Venezuela, Fr. Jorge Elías Ghazal Mora, has launched an appeal to raise funds to support emergency relief efforts and the first phase of assistance and reconstruction.
"In this time of great trial, you are not alone," said Fr. Fabio Attard, Rector Major of the Salesians of Don Bosco. "We stand united with you in prayer and in concrete solidarity, asking the Lord to sustain all those engaged in relief and reconstruction efforts."
Among the many expressions of solidarity received by the Venezuelan people, the bishops of the Cuban Catholic Bishops' Conference (COCC) expressed their "deep concern and sorrow."
"We pray for you and with your people, that you may recover soon from this catastrophe, with the solidarity and commitment of all," the Cuban bishops wrote in a letter addressed to President of the Venezuelan Bishops' Conference (CEV), Jesús González de Zárate; to the Metropolitan Archbishop of Caracas, Raúl Biord Castillo; and to the Secretary General of the CEV, José Antonio da Conceição Ferreira.
Cardinal Fernando Chomalí, Archbishop of Santiago de Chile, who is currently in Rome for the Consistory convened by Pope Leo XIV, announced that on Saturday, July 4, he will celebrate a Mass in Santiago's Metropolitan Cathedral "for the Venezuelan people and for all those who lost their lives in the earthquake."
"The Mass renews our hope, calls us to serve others, and reminds us that we are brothers and sisters in Christ," the Cardinal said. (Fides News Agency, 26/6/2026)
