MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Fishermen film the first seconds of Venezuela's earthquake from the sea off La Guaira

In the video the reaction of the fishermen and an unusual movement of the boats can be seen during the first seconds of the quake

A group of fishermen working off the coast of La Guaira state captured on video the moment when the two earthquakes of magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 that shook Venezuela began on Wednesday and that, according to the latest official toll, left at least 164 dead and 971 injured. The footage, shared on social media, became one of the most widely circulated records of the catastrophe.

In the video the reaction of the fishermen and an unusual movement of the boats can be seen during the first seconds of the quake. Other recordings that circulated in the following hours showed scenes captured at different points across the country: in one of them, a man filmed from inside Maiquetía International Airport, which serves Caracas, the damage caused by the tremors, which led to its closure.

Pescadores, desde las cosas del estado La Guaira, graban el momento exacto de los terremotos en Venezuela. pic.twitter.com/n5NvXfBo9g

— Ernesto (@ernestojmro) June 25, 2026

One of the most widely shared recordings came from a Professional Baseball Major League game being played at the University Stadium in Caracas. The match between Marineros de Carabobo and Senadores de Caracas had just begun when the ground started to shake: the live broadcast captured the moment the players interrupt the action, the catcher and the umpire leave their positions, and confusion spreads across the field as the stadium structure sways. The game was suspended.

Estaban jugando un partido de beisbol y fue captado el momento del terremoto en Caracas pic.twitter.com/vcIy7pO0iS

— La Zuricata (@LaZuricata) June 25, 2026

The two quakes, about 39 seconds apart, shook the north-central part of the country and were felt as far as Colombia. They caused buildings and homes to collapse, power outages and mass evacuations in several regions. Acting President Delcy Rodríguez confirmed on Thursday the toll of 164 dead and 971 injured, and specified that some 30 aftershocks had been recorded since the two main events. “At this time, the figure we have already recorded is 164 dead, 971 injured, with 30 aftershocks that have occurred since the two main consecutive events,” she said in a phone call with the state channel Venezolana de Televisión.

Rodríguez reiterated that the coastal state of La Guaira, neighboring Caracas, is the hardest hit, with dozens of collapsed buildings, and described it as a “true tragedy” and a “disaster zone.” The country remains in a state of emergency, with rescue teams working through the rubble and a broad offer of international aid. The toll, authorities warned, could keep rising as search efforts progress, especially in areas where people are still trapped.