Aftershock Strikes Caracas as Venezuela’s Death Toll Nears 1,500 in Urgent Rescue Operations
Caracas experienced a 4.6-magnitude aftershock early Monday, centered at a depth of 10 km (6 miles), as rescue teams continued their relentless efforts to locate survivors from last week’s devastating earthquakes. The U.S. Geological Survey reported the tremor, which shook residents awake but caused no immediate damage, according to Jorge Rodriguez, President of the National Assembly.
Rescue operations are currently concentrated in La Guaira, the state hardest hit by the twin earthquakes that have claimed nearly 1,500 lives. The ongoing crisis has exacerbated the challenges faced by a nation already grappling with severe political and economic turmoil.
Ongoing Rescue Efforts
As of Sunday, the confirmed death toll from the earthquakes had reached 1,450, with 3,150 individuals reported injured and over 12,700 displaced. Jorge Rodriguez noted that 774 buildings had collapsed, creating a dire situation for those affected. “We are in critical hours, crucial hours to continue rescuing lives and to build camps for those who have lost their homes or cannot return,” he stated.
Rescue teams, including over 2,600 foreign workers, have been working tirelessly in the aftermath. Despite limited heavy equipment and ongoing aftershocks, which have further complicated recovery efforts, at least 33 people were rescued over the weekend, including several children.
The Human Toll
The aftermath of the earthquakes has left families devastated. A father and son were rescued from the rubble after being trapped for four days. Meanwhile, an opposition-backed website reported that nearly 50,000 individuals remain unaccounted for, a slight decrease from the previous day’s figure of 55,000.
Sebastian Eugster, leader of a Swiss rescue team, emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “There is a window of roughly three days, 72 hours, after which the probability of saving people alive decreases.” As of Saturday evening, this critical timeframe had elapsed since the earthquakes struck.
International Response and Aid
The U.S. State Department highlighted the successful rescue of an infant by American teams, sharing footage of the child being carried from the debris. Additionally, Colombian rescuers saved an 11-year-old boy named Moises, who had been trapped approximately 3 meters (10 feet) deep. He was found with a broken arm, having lost his mother and sister in the disaster.
Pope Leo expressed his solidarity with the Venezuelan people during the Angelus prayer in Rome, thanking rescue workers for their efforts. A senior U.S. official indicated that a funding package worth hundreds of millions of dollars is expected to be announced soon, supplementing the $150 million already pledged by Washington.
Infrastructure Challenges
The government, led by interim President Delcy Rodriguez, has suspended school classes for another week and reported that electricity supply in La Guaira has been restored to 75%. However, road access has been tightened to facilitate emergency vehicle movement, as civilian volunteers had been ferrying aid to the affected areas.
The Amuay refinery, Venezuela’s largest, has ceased operations following a significant power outage in Falcon state, further complicating the nation’s recovery efforts.
As reported by www.emirates247.com.
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Published on 2026-06-29 17:34:00 • By FAME Delivered News Desk