Venezuela’s earthquake death toll has climbed to 920 as rescuers search through collapsed buildings and rubble nearly two days after two powerful quakes struck the country.
The government said on Friday that 172 people remained trapped, while 3,360 others were injured following the twin earthquakes that hit Caracas and nearby regions on Wednesday evening. More than 50,000 people were reported missing.
The disaster has triggered a major international rescue effort, with foreign teams arriving as frustration grows among residents in some of the worst-affected areas over delays in reaching those trapped beneath collapsed structures.
Desperate searches continue in hardest-hit areas
La Guaira state, near Caracas and home to the country’s main airport, has been among the most severely damaged areas. Residents and volunteers have been digging through debris with their bare hands while waiting for heavy machinery to arrive.
Jennifer Palacios, a 25-year-old resident of La Guaira, said her six-year-old son and five other relatives were still trapped beneath the remains of a housing complex.
“It’s the community that has managed to get people out alive,” she said, calling for cranes and additional equipment to help move concrete slabs covering survivors.
Reuters witnesses reported seeing highways cracked by the earthquakes and buildings reduced to piles of concrete and twisted metal. Volunteers transported food, water and other supplies from nearby cities as rescue efforts expanded.
Authorities later urged civilians to avoid some affected areas, saying overcrowded roads were slowing emergency operations.
Foreign rescue teams arrive
International support began reaching Venezuela on Thursday and Friday, with rescue teams from countries including Mexico and El Salvador joining operations.
In Los Corales, a coastal neighborhood, El Salvador’s rescue team used drones, heat scanners and search dogs to locate possible survivors inside damaged buildings.
Roberto Gavidia, who leads the team, said residents had reported hearing voices from inside collapsed structures.
The United States said it was mobilizing $150 million in aid and easing sanctions related to earthquake assistance. U.S. military support, including ships, helicopters and aircraft, was also being prepared for rescue and relief operations.
Disaster puts pressure on Venezuela’s government
The earthquakes have tested Venezuela’s interim government, led by President Delcy Rodriguez, as authorities respond to a crisis in a country already weakened by years of economic and political instability.
A United Nations report estimated direct damage from the two earthquakes at around $6.7 billion.
Rodriguez has promised a large-scale relief effort and held talks with international officials, including U.S. President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Despite the destruction, Venezuela’s oil sector appeared to avoid major damage. Oil Minister Paula Henao said production was not affected and fuel supplies would continue.
Scale of destruction remains uncertain
The two earthquakes, measuring magnitude 7.2 and 7.5, caused widespread destruction across Caracas and nearby coastal communities. The second quake was described as Venezuela’s strongest in more than a century.
The U.S. Geological Survey warned that the final death toll could rise significantly, estimating that more than 10,000 deaths were possible.
The U.N. migration agency said nearly 7 million people could be affected and began providing emergency shelter and relief supplies as Venezuela continues its search for survivors.
