A section of the Agustiniano San Judas Tadeo School, located in the La Pastora area of Caracas, crumbled on Friday. Fortunately, no fatalities were reported, although this incident occurred just nine days following a catastrophic double earthquake that has claimed the lives of at least 2,645 people in Venezuela.
The collapse involved the primary school buildings as well as classrooms for first, second, and third-year high school students.
Positioned precariously on the edge of a ravine with homes below, the debris from the school fell onto at least four houses, injuring one individual. The injured, a man who experienced a seizure due to the shock, was taken to a hospital where he is reported to be in stable condition.
José Luis Bencomo, a 67-year-old local resident, recounted the terrifying collapse to EFE news agency: "Half of the school gave way and everyone ran."
He further explained that "when the debris fell, everyone ran, including the children; it felt like everything was shaking." Bencomo also warned that the school's retaining wall is now compromised.
Lenys Niño, 48, the mother-in-law of the injured man, confirmed his stable condition but noted that several people she knows "lost many family members" due to the earthquakes.
On Instagram, Caracas firefighters reported that a perimeter wall of the school had collapsed. They established a "preventive perimeter to mitigate any secondary risk to the community" near the educational center.
Residents in the area expressed living in a constant state of alert since the earthquakes, with any noise startling them as they await action from the authorities.
Impact of the Venezuelan Earthquake
The double earthquake that struck on June 24, 2026, with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5 and an epicenter near Morón in Yaracuy state, is the strongest seismic event recorded in Venezuela since 1900.
In addition to the 2,645 confirmed dead, the official count reports 12,666 injured, while the UN estimates up to 50,000 people missing and 6.76 million affected.
The damage to infrastructure is equally daunting. Official reports indicate that 885 buildings were impacted, with 189 completely collapsing. A NASA assessment using satellite images suggests that approximately 58,870 buildings could be damaged or destroyed throughout the affected region.
In the educational sector, more than 432 schools in the Capital District sustained damage from the earthquakes. UNICEF has highlighted the urgent need for humanitarian assistance for over 680,000 children. Acting Venezuelan President Delcy Rodríguez suspended classes in all educational institutions nationwide for the week, extending the closure until July 5.
The collapse of the school in La Pastora underscores the ongoing risk in structures weakened by the earthquakes, even days after the initial event. The United Nations Development Programme estimated the direct damage from the double earthquake at $6.7 billion, equivalent to 6% of Venezuela's GDP.
Key Questions About the Venezuelan Earthquake
What caused the school building in Caracas to collapse?
The collapse was due to structural weaknesses exacerbated by the recent double earthquake that struck Venezuela.
How many people were affected by the Venezuelan earthquake?
The official count reports 2,645 dead and 12,666 injured, while the UN estimates up to 50,000 people missing and 6.76 million affected.
What measures have been taken by Venezuelan authorities following the earthquakes?
The government has suspended all educational activities nationwide and is working on assessing and addressing the damage to infrastructure.