Large landslide buries 18 homes after heavy rain in Fernández Feo, Táchira, Venezuela

A major landslide struck the municipality of Fernández Feo, Táchira, Venezuela, between July 10 and 11, 2025, following prolonged and intense rainfall. The event severely impacted the communities of La Valeria and La Laguna, burying at least 18 homes and affecting nearly 300 families.

The slide, which began during the night of July 10 and continued into the early hours of July 11, displaced a hillside mass measuring approximately 800 m (2 625 feet) in width and 1.3 km (0.81 miles) in length. According to local officials and geological reports, the slide developed across three crowns of failure (coronas), indicating progressive slope collapse.

Initial assessments by Protección Civil and the state government of Táchira indicated that at least 295 families were affected across the region, not limited to the directly buried homes. As a precaution, authorities declared the area a geological and humanitarian emergency zone and deployed emergency teams to assess hazards and assist with evacuations.

The landslide remained active for over 96 hours, prompting concerns about possible river blockages, particularly along the Uribante River. Emergency services conducted hydrological assessments to monitor the risk of secondary flooding due to the damming effect of debris accumulations.

Governor Freddy Bernal confirmed that housing, road access, and critical services were disrupted. In addition to material losses, many residents in La Valeria and La Laguna lost all possessions. However, there were no confirmed fatalities or injuries as of July 15.

Local officials have not ruled out the activation of tectonic structures, such as the Boconó fault, although no seismic events were recorded at the time of the landslide. Geological inspections were underway to evaluate slope stability and future risk.

References:

¹ 18 casas quedaron tapiadas por deslizamiento de tierra en Táchira – El Publico TV – July 15, 2025

Reet Kaur

I’m a science journalist and researcher at The Watchers, contributing to the Epicenter edition, where I cover peer-reviewed scientific research and emerging discoveries across Earth and space sciences. With a background in astronomy and a passion for environmental science, I’ve worked in shark and coral conservation in Fiji, conducting reef and shark-behavior research, contributing to mangrove restoration, and earning PADI Open Water and Coral Reef Certifications. I bring a blend of scientific rigor and storytelling to illuminate the discoveries shaping our planet and beyond.

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