NPR News: 06-25-2026 7AM EDT

Windsor Johnston· Host0:01

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston. [shuffling] Search and rescue teams are pulling survivors from the rubble this morning after two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela less than a minute apart last night. NPR's John Otis says the epicenter was west of Caracas, but the destruction stretched across one of the country's most densely populated regions.

John Otis0:26

From photos and videos, the damage looks quite extensive. You can see huge clouds of dust rising into the sky over collapsed buildings and rescue workers pulling survivors out of the rubble on stretchers. People were ducking for cover under tables at restaurants and dashing out of their homes into the streets.

Windsor Johnston· Host0:45

NPR's John Otis reporting. Officials say at least one hundred sixty-four people are dead as rescue crews continue searching through collapsed buildings. More than nine hundred others have been injured. Acting President Delcy Rodriguez has declared a state of emergency, urging people to remain alert for aftershocks. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is touring Gulf Arab states to discuss an interim peace deal between the US and Iran. NPR's Aya Batrawy reports Rubio is wrapping up his visit today with a summit of Gulf foreign ministers in Bahrain after stops in the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait.

Aya Batrawy1:25

Rubio says he's in the Gulf to thank Arab states for their, quote, "incredible support