Venezuela Earthquake – The race to save survivors intensified across Venezuela on Thursday after two powerful earthquakes devastated Caracas and surrounding coastal regions, killing hundreds of people, trapping many beneath collapsed buildings and leaving tens of thousands reported missing.
Authorities confirmed that at least 235 bodies had been received by medical centres, while rescue workers continued searching damaged neighbourhoods where countless families were still waiting for news of missing loved ones.
The disaster, described as Venezuela’s strongest earthquake in more than a century, has triggered an international humanitarian response as emergency teams battle collapsed buildings, damaged infrastructure and repeated aftershocks.
Twin earthquakes leave widespread destruction
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, a magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck approximately 160 kilometres west of Caracas on Wednesday evening. Less than a minute later, an even stronger magnitude 7.5 earthquake shook the country, making it Venezuela’s most powerful recorded earthquake since 1900.
The twin tremors caused extensive destruction across Caracas, La Guaira and neighbouring regions, damaging homes, hospitals, government buildings and vital infrastructure.
Health Minister Carlos Alvarado confirmed that 235 deaths had been recorded at medical centres, although officials warned the overall casualty figure could rise significantly as search operations continue.
Earlier, National Assembly leader Jorge Rodriguez said approximately 200 people remained trapped beneath collapsed structures, while around 250 buildings were either destroyed or severely damaged.
Among the damaged structures were at least eight hospitals, the headquarters of the Venezuelan Red Cross and the French Embassy.
Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello added that nearly 70,000 families in La Guaira state alone had been affected by the disaster.
Rescue operations continue amid desperate search for survivors
Emergency crews, soldiers and volunteers have worked continuously to rescue survivors buried beneath collapsed buildings.
However, rescue operations have been complicated by damaged roads, unstable buildings, limited heavy equipment and continuing aftershocks.
Acting President Delcy Rodriguez described the hardest-hit coastal state of La Guaira as “a disaster zone.”
She said:
“It has become a disaster zone.”
Rodriguez added that the government was working with private companies to bring in heavy machinery capable of accelerating rescue operations.
Despite those efforts, several residents complained that official assistance arrived slowly in some neighbourhoods.
In La Guaira city, volunteers dug through piles of concrete with their bare hands while relatives anxiously waited nearby hoping survivors would be found.
Along the highway linking Caracas and La Guaira, civilians carried food, drinking water and medicines toward devastated communities after the scale of destruction overwhelmed emergency responders.
Families recount terrifying moments
Many Venezuelans were at home enjoying a public holiday when the earthquakes struck.
Residents described buildings shaking violently before portions collapsed, forcing families into the streets.
Caracas resident Maria Alejandra recalled the terrifying aftermath.
“When we went downstairs, the scene was like a horror movie.”
In La Guaira, Yamileth Jimenez said her 19-year-old son remained trapped beneath the ruins of their seven-storey apartment building.
Fighting back emotion, she said:
“He’s under the slabs and there’s no machinery to get him out.”
Jimenez revealed her father had died only three days before the earthquake, making the tragedy even more devastating for her family.
Elsewhere, Pedro Perez, a 64-year-old upholstery workshop owner, said the disaster had destroyed everything he owned.
“We lost everything. We have no food or medicines… We hope help arrives quickly.”
Perez said he, his wife and children were now sleeping on the street after losing both their home and family business.
Child helps save grandparents during quake
Near the earthquake’s epicentre in Moron, residents also described dramatic escapes.
Denis Sequera said her five-year-old granddaughter helped rescue her elderly grandfather during the violent shaking.
She recalled:
“She kept telling my dad, ‘Grandpa, get out, put your hands over your head,’ and she led him into the yard.”
Sequera added:
“We couldn’t go back inside. We slept outside and are now waiting for help.”
Hundreds of families in Moron have reportedly been forced to abandon damaged apartment complexes while waiting for emergency shelters.
More than 46,000 people reported missing
As rescue efforts continued, concern mounted over the number of people still unaccounted for.
A crowd-sourced website shared by Venezuelan opposition figures listed more than 46,000 people as missing by Thursday evening.
Reuters noted that it could not independently verify the figures.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Geological Survey’s predictive modelling warned the final death toll could rise dramatically, indicating there is a substantial possibility fatalities could eventually reach several thousand.
International aid begins arriving
Countries around the world have pledged assistance despite Venezuela’s years of diplomatic isolation.
Acting President Delcy Rodriguez thanked several world leaders for offering support, including U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Trump said:
“The United States is ready, willing and able to help.”
Washington also temporarily eased sanctions to allow earthquake-related humanitarian assistance.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that American rescue teams would be deployed, while the Pentagon would help restore operations at Caracas’ damaged airport.
United Nations humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher warned that the disaster would require enormous international cooperation.
He said:
“A massive collective effort” would be needed.
The UN also urged Venezuelan authorities to improve internet access during the emergency, saying communication had become “a matter of life and death.”
Meanwhile, SpaceX announced that its Starlink satellite internet service would provide free connectivity through July 25 for customers in affected regions while additional communication terminals are deployed.
Oil industry largely escapes major damage
Despite the widespread destruction, Venezuela’s critical oil infrastructure appears to have escaped significant damage.
Foreign energy companies operating in the country reported no major disruptions, providing some relief for Venezuela’s already struggling economy.
Officials said the country’s petroleum facilities remained largely intact, reducing fears of an additional economic crisis following the disaster.
Authorities expand rescue efforts
With aftershocks continuing to shake parts of the country, rescue teams remain focused on locating survivors before critical time runs out.
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Heavy equipment continues arriving in the worst-affected communities as emergency shelters open for thousands left homeless.
Authorities have warned that casualty figures are likely to increase substantially as rescuers gain access to heavily damaged buildings across Caracas, La Guaira and surrounding regions.
For thousands of Venezuelan families still searching for loved ones, however, hope remains that more survivors will be pulled alive from the rubble in the hours ahead.
