Venezuelans are working against the clock to rescue loved ones trapped beneath collapsed buildings after a pair of powerful earthquakes rocked the country, killing more than 900 people and injuring thousands more. Many fear the death toll will continue to rise.
In Boston, word traveled quickly to Venezuelan native Carolina Garcia, owner of Carolicious Gourmet, a Venezuelan restaurant with locations in Somerville, Boston and Cambridge.
“They say it was terrifying,” she said after speaking with family. “They are now without water. Some parts are without electricity. But they are repairing the minor things that happened with the earthquake, like broken glasses or pipes.”
On Wednesday, the region of La Guaira in northern Venezuela was hit by 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes that were one minute apart. The quakes caused extensive damage across a wide area, including the capital Caracas, where numerous buildings collapsed and thousands of residents fled their homes.
Garcia has a brother that lives in Los Naranjos. She said he and others are safe, but they are sad and worried about the extent of the damage. Garcia said they are also concerned about aftershocks.
“They are very, very scared about what could happen because people don’t want to go to sleep in their homes,” she said, “People stay in their cars sleeping all night long waiting.”
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Featured Photo: Members of a religious organization distribute food to people affected two days after an earthquake struck La Guaira, Venezuela, Friday, June 26, 2026. Ariana Cubillos / AP