Archive · 30 Jul 2026
Venezuelan Family Fleeing Earthquake Aftermath to Maracaibo for Safety
A big earthquake hit Venezuela’s coast on June 24, 2023, killing many people and making a lot of homes fall down.
A woman named Adriana Aponte and her three kids were living in a town called La Guaira.
They were scared of more shaking, so they decided to move to a city called Maracaibo.
A relative gave them some money to pay for the trip.
In Maracaibo, they feel safer, but they miss their family who stayed behind.
They hope the government will give them a new house soon.
Twin 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes struck Venezuela’s central coast on June 24, 2023, killing at least 5,500 people and displacing about 23,800.
Adriana Aponte, a 26‑year‑old mother of three, and her family left La Guaira for Maracaibo to escape aftershocks.
They received 50,000 bolivars (about $67) from a relative to cover travel costs to Maracaibo.
Aponte’s home suffered a collapsed bedroom wall but did not fully collapse.
The family hopes Maracaibo is a temporary refuge while awaiting government‑provided permanent housing.
- Who
- Adriana Aponte, a 26‑year‑old mother of three, and her family
- What
- fleeing the earthquake‑hit coastal region to Maracaibo to escape aftershocks
- When
- After the twin earthquakes on June 24, 2023; reported July 29, 2023
- Where
- From La Guaira to Maracaibo, Zulia State, Venezuela
- Why
- to find safety and avoid the constant fear of aftershocks
- Event
- June 24 2023 twin earthquakes (7.2 & 7.5) in Venezuela
- Location of Origin
- La Guaira, Venezuela
- Location of Refuge
- Maracaibo, Zulia State, Venezuela
- Fatalities
- At least 5,500 people
- Displaced
- Approximately 23,800 people
- Travel Cost
- 50,000 bolivars (~$67)
- Family Members
- Adriana Aponte and three children (ages 1, 4, 10)
- Home Damage
- Bedroom wall collapsed, house did not fully collapse