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NewsTelemundo 51 Miami – Noticias LocalesJune 30, 2026Miami-Dade

Fact-Check: Viral Videos Claiming to Show Venezuela Earthquake Damage

Fact-checkers have identified several viral videos circulating on social media that falsely claim to depict the aftermath of recent earthquakes in Venezuela. These videos, which show building collapses and rescue efforts, are actually older footage from other countries or unrelated events.

fact-checkingdisaster-responsemisinformationVenezuelaearthquake
Read the full story at Telemundo 51 Miami – Noticias Locales

Why It Matters

Residents and international observers are being misled by false information regarding the scale and nature of the disaster, which complicates the public understanding of the ongoing emergency response.

Key Facts

  • Two earthquakes of magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 struck northern Venezuela on June 24.
  • The earthquakes resulted in over 2,000 deaths and approximately 70,000 missing persons.
  • A magnitude 4.6 aftershock was recorded on June 29.
  • A viral video of a white building collapsing is actually footage of a 2023 demolition in Turkey.
  • A video claiming to show a mother protecting her child during the Venezuela earthquake is old footage from at least 2025.
  • A video of an orange building collapsing is footage from a 7.8 magnitude earthquake in Turkey in February 2023.
  • Social media claims that Lucas Gámez was rescued are false; his mother confirmed he remains missing as of June 30, 2026.
  • A video showing laser beams in the sky, claimed to be linked to the earthquake, has been circulating online since at least March.

Who's Mentioned

locationVenezuela“The country affected by the earthquakes.”locationTurquía“Location of origin for several misattributed videos.”organizationThe Guardian“Media outlet that previously reported on the Turkish earthquake footage.”organizationPolitiFact“Fact-checking organization that conducted the investigation.”locationCaracas“Area affected by the earthquakes.”personLucas Gámez“A child falsely reported as rescued from rubble.”organizationObservatorio Venezolano de Fake News“Fact-checking organization that verified the videos.”