33 Rescued as Death Toll Surpasses 1,400 in Venezuela’s Devastating Earthquakes

Thirty-three individuals have been rescued following the recent twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela, as confirmed by the country’s interim president, Delcy Rodriguez. The rescue efforts continue amid reports that tens of thousands remain unaccounted for, with time running short for locating additional survivors.

The death toll from the earthquakes, which occurred on Wednesday, has exceeded 1,400 as of Saturday. Coastal La Guaira, the hardest-hit state, has seen an influx of foreign rescue teams, with over 1,600 workers arriving to assist in the recovery efforts.

Ongoing Rescue Operations

Families and volunteers spent days searching for survivors and recovering bodies from the rubble before the arrival of international aid. Many expressed frustration over the lack of heavy equipment and limited official presence, as hundreds of aftershocks exacerbated the situation and kept residents anxious.

The government, under Rodriguez’s leadership since her predecessor was ousted by the U.S. in a January raid, initially thanked civilian volunteers for their aid efforts. However, access to the main road to La Guaira has since been heavily restricted, citing traffic issues that hinder emergency vehicle movement. Only accredited personnel are permitted on the roadway.

While the government has reported hundreds missing or trapped, a website supported by the political opposition indicates that nearly 50,000 people are still unaccounted for, a slight decrease from 55,000 reported the previous day.

Limited Time for Finding Survivors

The U.S. Geological Survey has estimated that the death toll could exceed 10,000 due to the magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 earthquakes, potentially marking them as some of the deadliest in Latin America over the past century.

Sebastian Eugster, leader of the Swiss rescue team, emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating that there is a critical window of approximately 72 hours to rescue individuals trapped in the debris. The Swiss team has reported finding multiple survivors, aided by their search dogs, but has faced challenges in extracting them in time.

As of Saturday evening, 72 hours had passed since the earthquakes struck. The Swiss team plans to collaborate with other rescue teams and local authorities to determine when to conclude their operations, although they will remain available for ongoing aid efforts.

Rescued Children

The U.S. State Department celebrated the successful rescue of an infant by American crews, sharing a video that captured the moment rescuers extracted the child from the rubble.

A Colombian rescue team reported saving an 11-year-old boy named Moises, who had been trapped approximately 3 meters (10 feet) deep. He was found using a scanner and was removed on a stretcher with a broken arm, his eyes shielded from the light. Tragically, his mother and sister did not survive.

Mexican rescuers also reported the successful extraction of another 11-year-old boy from a collapsed building in Caraballeda. Rodriguez shared updates via social media, emphasizing that each rescued life represents hope for Venezuela.

The government reported that over 3,000 individuals have sustained injuries, with a similar number now residing in shelters. In Caraballeda, U.S. rescuers worked alongside civilian volunteers, some of whom were searching for their own family members.

Rescue teams had initially marked the rubble with the name of the building that once stood there. By Saturday evening, they had updated the markings to indicate areas where they believed no survivors remained.

International Response and Political Implications

Pope Leo expressed his solidarity with the Venezuelan people affected by the earthquakes during a prayer in Rome, thanking rescue workers for their efforts.

European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas announced that the EU has mobilized 5 million euros (approximately $5.9 million) in emergency assistance. The EU’s Copernicus satellite system is also being utilized to map the damage and direct aid to the most affected areas.

A senior U.S. official indicated that a funding package worth hundreds of millions of dollars is expected to be announced shortly, in addition to the $150 million previously committed by the Trump administration.

The disaster may have political ramifications for Rodriguez, who has positioned herself as a reformer despite her previous role as vice president under Nicolas Maduro.

Power is gradually being restored across the region, although Venezuela’s power grid has long been plagued by issues stemming from years of underinvestment and economic sanctions, leading to frequent blackouts.

As reported by www.arnnewscentre.ae.

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Published on 2026-06-28 19:38:00 • By FAME Delivered News Desk