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Back-to-back powerful earthquakes hit Venezuela, causing widespread damage
By By REGINA GARCIA CANO and JUAN PABLO ARRAEZ at WXYZ Channel 7 (ABC Detroit) - News
· June 24, 2026
· 5 min read
CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) Powerful back-to-back earthquakes struck Venezuela on Wednesday evening, causing widespread damage, collapsing buildings and sending panicked residents into the streets.The 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes roiled the region, with buildings evacuated in cities as far away...
Key takeaway 5 magnitude earthquakes roiled the region, with buildings evacuated in cities as far away as Brazils Amazon, about 1,700 kilometers (1,050 miles) from Caracas.
Why this matters in The Detroit
The devastating earthquakes in Venezuela serve as a stark reminder for Detroit residents to review their own emergency preparedness plans. While the likelihood of a major earthquake hitting Detroit is low, the city's aging infrastructure and buildings could still be vulnerable to significant damage from a major seismic event or other disasters. The collapse of buildings in Caracas and the resulting power outages and loss of cellphone signal are scenarios that could potentially play out in Detroit, highlighting the need for residents to have a plan in place in case of an emergency. Furthermore, the fact that many Venezuelans have family members living abroad, including potentially in Detroit, means that local residents may be affected by the disaster even if they are not directly impacted by the earthquakes themselves. As the city continues to grow and develop, it is crucial that residents and city officials prioritize disaster preparedness and infrastructure resilience to mitigate the effects of any potential disasters.
About this story
Original reporting by WXYZ Channel 7 (ABC Detroit) - News . The Detroit 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 WXYZ Channel 7 (ABC Detroit) - News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 24, 2026 ·
Source: WXYZ Channel 7 (ABC Detroit) - News ·
Reading time: 5 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) Powerful back-to-back earthquakes struck Venezuela on Wednesday evening, causing widespread damage, collapsing buildings and sending panicked residents into the streets.The 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes roiled the region, with buildings evacuated in cities as far away...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 24, 2026 by WXYZ Channel 7 (ABC Detroit) - News and curated for The Detroit readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by By REGINA GARCIA CANO and JUAN PABLO ARRAEZ at WXYZ Channel 7 (ABC Detroit) - News. To learn more about how The Detroit selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Detroit, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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