The death toll from the powerful twin earthquakes that struck northern Venezuela has climbed sharply to 589, while 2,980 people have been injured, as rescue workers continue searching for survivors trapped beneath collapsed buildings. Authorities fear the number of casualties could rise further as emergency teams reach more affected areas.
The back-to-back earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude, hit the country on Wednesday evening, causing widespread destruction across several regions. The coastal state of La Guaira, located near the capital Caracas, has suffered the worst damage, with more than 100 buildings reduced to rubble and thousands of families left homeless.
Acting President Delcy Rodríguez said rescue operations remain the government’s top priority. “We are going to rescue the people who are trapped. We are working tirelessly on this task,” she said while welcoming international rescue teams arriving with specialised equipment, sniffer dogs and humanitarian supplies. Authorities have placed La Guaira under military control to speed up rescue work and ensure food, water and medical aid reach affected communities.
For many families, the wait for news of missing loved ones has become an agonising ordeal. Thousands of people are spending their nights in open spaces, afraid to return to damaged buildings as aftershocks continue to shake the region. Volunteers have joined firefighters and emergency personnel, digging through concrete and twisted metal in the hope of finding survivors.
Rescue teams and relief supplies from several countries, including the United States, Spain, Colombia, Germany, Switzerland and India, have begun arriving in Venezuela to support the massive humanitarian response. The United Nations has warned that millions of people could be affected by the disaster, highlighting the urgent need for shelter, healthcare, clean drinking water and other essential supplies. With the critical search-and-rescue window narrowing, every hour remains vital for those still believed to be trapped beneath the rubble.
Seismologists said the twin earthquakes caused widespread destruction because of their strong intensity and shallow depth, which amplified ground shaking across the affected regions. The tremors were also felt in neighbouring Colombia, Guyana and parts of northern Brazil, prompting precautionary measures in some areas. Authorities have urged residents to remain alert as aftershocks continue to rattle damaged regions.
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