The Salesian Congregation is following with deep concern and keen apprehension the dramatic situation unfolding in Venezuela following the two powerful earthquakes that struck the country on the afternoon of 24 June 2026 – local time – causing numerous casualties, severe structural damage and major disruptions to communications and essential services.
The earthquakes and their consequences
According to initial reports, the earthquakes occurred 39 seconds apart at 18.05 local time (UTC-4), with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5 on the Richter scale, and had their epicentre in the north of the country, in an area near the Carabobo-Yaracuy axis, at a depth of approximately 10 kilometres.
Communications with the areas closest to the epicentre are largely disrupted, making direct contact extremely difficult. In many areas, the electricity supply is still cut off or unstable, whilst rescue teams are working under challenging conditions to reach those affected and assess the extent of the damage. There are reports of collapsed buildings in Caracas and La Guaira, and initial assessments of the disaster indicate dozens of deaths and hundreds of injuries, although these figures are provisional and are sadly likely to rise as search operations progress and access to the worst-affected areas becomes possible.
The situation for the Salesian Family
According to the latest report from the Planning and Development Office (PDO) of the St Luke Province in Venezuela, based in Caracas, several Salesian institutions have sustained damage.
The worst affected are the Don Bosco school and church in Sarria, which have sustained serious structural damage. Further damage, albeit less severe, has been reported in Altamira, La Dolorida, Mariches and at the San José secondary school.
Despite the gravity of the situation, information received so far indicates that all the Salesians of Don Bosco who have been contacted are safe and there have been no casualties within the Salesian Family. Confirmation has also been received from Ms Oriana, of the PDO in Caracas, regarding extensive structural damage in Caracas and La Guaira, with some buildings having completely collapsed.
The newly appointed Provincial of Venezuela, Fr Jorge Elías Ghazal Mora, has already launched an appeal to raise funds for emergency aid and to support the initial relief and reconstruction efforts.
The Rector Major’s solidarity
Fr Fabio Attard, Rector Major of the Salesians of Don Bosco, immediately expressed his solidarity, saying: “We are following the events in Venezuela with deep concern. I wish to express my personal solidarity, and that of the entire Salesian Congregation, with our confreres, the young people and the families affected. In this time of great trial, you are not alone: we are united with you in prayer and in concrete solidarity, asking the Lord to sustain the relief and reconstruction efforts.”
In these hours of grief and uncertainty, the Salesian Family throughout the world wishes to express its practical and spiritual solidarity with our confreres, young people and all those affected, and is following the unfolding situation with close attention and concern, whilst mobilising in solidarity to support relief and assistance efforts.
