Venezuela Earthquake: 8 Chinese Citizens Killed, One Missing
A devastating twin earthquake that struck Venezuela on June 24 has claimed the lives of eight Chinese citizens, with one more still missing, the Chinese Embassy in Venezuela confirmed on June 28. The confirmation came as rescue operations continued across the country’s devastated northern and central regions following the most powerful earthquakes to hit Venezuela in over a century.
The Earthquake
On June 24 at approximately 18:04 local time, a magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck near Yumare in Yaracuy State, followed just 39 seconds later by a second, more powerful magnitude 7.5 quake in the same region, according to the US Geological Survey. The earthquakes, occurring along the Boconó-Morón-El Pilar fault system where the Caribbean and South American plates meet, caused catastrophic damage across northern Venezuela.
The hardest-hit areas included La Guaira State — home to Caracas’ Simón Bolívar International Airport, which was severely damaged and closed — and the capital Caracas itself, where multiple buildings collapsed in neighborhoods including Altamira, Los Palos Grandes, and Chacao. At least 1,450 people have been killed, more than 3,150 injured, and an estimated 50,000 remain missing across the country.
Chinese Casualties Confirmed
As of 15:00 local time on June 28, the Chinese Embassy in Venezuela confirmed that eight Chinese citizens had been killed and one remained missing in what authorities are calling the “June 24 Earthquake.” The embassy stated that the identities of other individuals were still being verified, suggesting the toll could rise as search efforts continue.
According to Xinhua News Agency, the embassy is coordinating closely with local authorities on search and rescue operations for the missing citizen. The Chinese community in Venezuela, estimated at 200,000 to 400,000 people, has been actively organizing mutual aid efforts.
China’s Diplomatic Response
On June 26, President Xi Jinping sent a message of condolence to Venezuelan Acting President Delcy Rodríguez, expressing deep sorrow over the loss of life and offering Chinese assistance for disaster relief and reconstruction. “China will provide assistance to Venezuela’s disaster relief and post-disaster reconstruction,” Xi stated, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China.
The offer of aid underscores the close ties between Beijing and Caracas, which have deepened significantly in recent years through oil trade and Belt and Road Initiative investments. Venezuela remains a major oil supplier to China, exporting approximately 470,000 barrels per day.
Eyewitness Accounts from the Chinese Community
Chinese nationals in Venezuela described harrowing experiences during the quakes. Nie Junchang, President of the Caracas Chinese Chamber of Commerce, told China News Service that the tremors in Caracas were very strong, followed by two aftershocks, and that several overseas Chinese warehouses had developed cracks.
A Chinese citizen identified only as Mr. Jin, who was running in a Caracas park when the earthquake struck, described seeing glass fall from tall buildings and two buildings collapse about 100 meters away, including a 12-story residential building. “Locals said they hadn’t experienced anything this big since 1968,” he recounted.
In a moment of hope amid the devastation, a young girl of Chinese descent from Enping, Guangdong, was rescued from the rubble in La Guaira state on June 25 by local rescue teams using equipment provided by the Venezuelan Chinese community.
Broader Impact and International Response
The United Nations has estimated economic losses from the earthquake at $4.7 billion to $8.7 billion — equivalent to 4 to 8 percent of Venezuela’s GDP — with actual losses potentially 1.5 to 3 times higher. Venezuelan Acting President Delcy Rodríguez has declared a national state of emergency and appealed for international assistance.
International rescue teams from Mexico, El Salvador, and the Dominican Republic have arrived in Venezuela to assist with search and rescue operations. The UN has also called for the easing of social media restrictions in Venezuela to aid the search for missing persons.
What to Watch For
The confirmed death toll among Chinese citizens carries the caveat of “incomplete statistics,” meaning the number may rise as verification continues. China’s role in Venezuela’s reconstruction — potentially as a major financial contributor — will be closely watched, particularly given the country’s ongoing political crisis and the US detention of former President Nicolás Maduro since January 2026. The disaster may also prompt Chinese authorities to review emergency preparedness protocols for citizens in disaster-prone countries abroad.”