One week after a pair of powerful quakes struck Venezuela, residents of the capital Caracas are still grappling with fear, grief and uncertainty.

In a state housing complex, Nataly Salas has not returned to her apartment on the 12th floor since the quakes hit on June 24.

Salas, who was given the apartment after losing her previous home due to flooding and has lived in the complex for 12 years, said the experience has left her too shaken to go back inside, despite assurances from engineers that the building's columns were not damaged.

"That moment was absolutely horrible for us," she said, adding that she and other residents have been sleeping outside in the street out of fear.

Residents of the state housing complex were seen working to repair earthquake damage to the buildings, while debris remained scattered across the floors.

The buildings were part of the Mision Vivienda housing program, one of the flagship social initiatives created under late President Hugo Chavez.

A street food vendor who gave only his first name, Luis, said he had travelled to the hard-hit coastal city of La Guaira to help in the aftermath, but was overwhelmed by what he witnessed. "I saw a lot of dead people. I came back — I couldn't take it anymore," he said.

A resident identified only as Mely described the collective unease felt by many in the city. "We go out onto the street feeling afraid, trying to get through each day," she said.

Street vendor Gerardo Parra said he was praying for those suffering in the worst-affected areas.

The June 24 earthquakes, a 7.2 magnitude tremor followed 39 seconds later by a 7.5 magnitude mainshock, caused widespread destruction across Venezuela, particularly in La Guaira and Caracas. At least 1,943 people have been killed and more than 10,500 injured, with the United Nations warning that up to 6.8 million people may be affected.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

RESIDENTS OF A GOVERNMENT-SUBSIDIZED HOUSING COMPLEX REPAIRING DAMAGE TO THE BUILDING / PEOPLE IN STREET / SOUNDBITES FROM VENEZUELANS

SHOWS: CARACAS, VENEZUELA (JUNE 30, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)

1. DOG ON GROUND AND MAN HAMMERING WALL OF STATE HOUSING COMPLEX

2. VARIOUS OF MAN HAMMERING WALL OF STATE HOUSING COMPLEX

3. MAN MOVING LADDER, DAMAGED CEILING AND DEBRIS ON FLOOR

4. VARIOUS OF MAN CHECKING ELECTRICAL WIRING

5. DEBRIS ON FLOOR

6. STATE HOUSING COMPLEX RESIDENT, NATALY SALAS, POINTING OUT DAMAGE AFTER EARTHQUAKE

7. DAMAGED WALL

8. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) STATE HOUSING COMPLEX RESIDENT, NATALY SALAS, SAYING:

"Since the very first day, we've been sleeping outside because we're still very shaken up. We're afraid to go back up to our apartments. I live on the 12th floor, and it really is very… People see us (sleeping on the street). We're not out there because we want to be—it's not like that. That moment (the earthquake) was absolutely horrible for us. The thought that I was down here and another part of me (my family) was up there is very difficult. We're afraid to go up (to the apartments)—even though the engineers told us the columns weren't damaged—we're still afraid to go up there."

9. STREET FOOD STALL

10. VARIOUS OF LUIS PREPARING FOOD AT STREET FOOD STALL

11. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) STREET FOOD VENDOR, LUIS (NO LAST NAME GIVEN), SAYING:

"I feel bad because we're Venezuelans. We have to support one another. It's sad to see people lose their lives like that. I went to La Guaira to help out a little, and I saw a lot of dead people. I came back—I couldn't take it anymore—but we have to thank God that we're still alive."

12. VENEZUELAN RESIDENT, MELY, ORDERING FOOD AT STREET FOOD STALL

13. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) VENEZUELAN RESIDENT, MELY (NO LAST NAME GIVEN), SAYING:

"We're not doing well. We go out onto the street feeling afraid, trying to get through each day, trying to keep going. With a little fear."

14. VARIOUS OF PEOPLE WALKING IN STREET

15. VARIOUS OF STREET VENDOR, GERARDO PARRA, WORKING AT HIS STALL

16. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) STREET VENDOR, GERARDO PARRA, SAYING:

"Of course, I'm very afraid for my family, for what might happen here in the city or in this country where I was born and where I live. But in reality, I have great fear of God, and I pray to Him and give Him thanks because, well, He's keeping me and my family alive. I ask Him to have mercy on those people who are going through this pain right now—a pain that even I can feel."

17. VARIOUS OF DAMAGED FACADE OF SHOPPING MALL

18. VARIOUS OF WORKER REPAIRING FACADE OF BUILDING

19. VARIOUS OF DAMAGED FACADE OF PREVISORA TOWER

20. VARIOUS OF PEOPLE WAITING FOR BUS

21. PEOPLE WALKING IN STREET

22. PEOPLE SITTING ON BENCH