Twin earthquakes of magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 have devastated Venezuela's northern coast, specifically the state of La Guaira. The confirmed death toll has passed 1,450, though the US Geological Survey estimated that more than 10,000 deaths were possible. Tens of thousands remain unaccounted for, with a political opposition website listing just under 50,000 people as missing. The United Nations migration agency estimates that nearly seven million people were affected and are in need of essential aid, including shelter and clean water.
International rescue teams, including the French Civil Security and the Fairfax County Urban Search and Rescue Team from the U.S., are racing against the clock to find survivors. Despite the critical 72-hour rescue window having passed, hope remains as rescuers continue to pull victims from the rubble. Recent rescues include a father and his son found in Caraballeda four days after the quakes, two 11-year-old boys, and a 60-year-old woman who was trapped for 86 hours. Acting President Delcy Rodriguez stated that 33 people were rescued over the weekend.
The devastation is widespread, with 774 buildings collapsed and nearly 200 completely destroyed in some areas. The United Nations Development Programme puts the cost of direct physical damage at $6.7 billion. In Caracas, the mortuary has become overwhelmed as the country struggles to respond. While the president maintains that the government holds onto hope, some citizens have expressed frustration, criticizing the response as inadequate and underprepared for the scope of the disaster.
Rescue workers and volunteers continue to use heavy equipment and bare hands to search for signs of life. However, specialists warn that the odds of finding survivors drop dramatically after three days, shifting the operation toward the recovery of bodies. With 3,150 people injured and over 12,000 displaced, the crisis remains critical as teams continue their painstaking efforts through unstable ruins.