Rescuers Race to Save Hundreds Trapped in Venezuelan Earthquake Aftermath, Thousands Missing
Rescue operations continued through the night on Friday as emergency responders worked tirelessly to save hundreds of Venezuelans trapped in the rubble following two significant earthquakes that struck areas around the capital, Caracas. The magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 tremors, which occurred approximately 160 kilometers west of the capital, have left thousands missing and caused widespread devastation.
Casualty Figures and Missing Persons
The Venezuelan government reported that 235 deceased individuals had been transported to medical facilities, but a comprehensive casualty estimate has yet to be provided. A dedicated website for tracking missing persons has recorded over 49,600 individuals as unaccounted for, while the US Geological Survey has projected that the death toll could exceed 10,000.
Spain’s foreign ministry confirmed that three Spanish nationals lost their lives in the disaster, with four others trapped beneath debris and an additional 99 still unaccounted for.
Rescue Efforts Underway
As foreign rescue teams arrived, firefighters, soldiers, and local citizens began combing through the wreckage of collapsed buildings. Many were forced to use their bare hands and flashlights in areas where power outages persisted. Yamileth Jimenez, a mother searching for her 19-year-old son, expressed her despair, stating, “He’s under the slabs and there’s no machinery to get him out,” referring to the debris of their seven-story apartment building in La Guaira, a coastal city near Caracas.
The earthquakes have exacerbated an already dire situation in Venezuela, a nation grappling with decades of economic and political instability. Many residents live in precarious hillside slums known as “barrios,” and thousands are now homeless.
Damage Assessment
The government has confirmed that at least 250 buildings have been damaged or destroyed, including eight hospitals, the Venezuelan Red Cross, and the French embassy. The UN’s migration agency estimates that nearly 7 million people could be affected by the disaster, and they are currently providing emergency shelter and relief supplies.
La Guaira, which houses the nation’s primary airport, was among the hardest-hit regions. Volunteers have mobilized along the Caracas-La Guaira highway, delivering essential supplies such as water, food, and medicine. Pedro Perez, a 64-year-old upholstery workshop owner, lamented, “We lost everything,” as he and his family sought refuge on the streets.
International Support and Aid
In the aftermath of the earthquakes, nations around the world have pledged support, including those that have historically opposed Venezuela. Interim President Delcy Rodriguez expressed gratitude to both US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin for their assistance. Washington has eased sanctions to facilitate the delivery of earthquake aid that would otherwise be restricted.
President Trump stated that the US was “ready, willing and able to help,” while Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that rescue teams would be dispatched, with the Pentagon providing logistical support to assist with operations at the damaged airport in Caracas.
Rodriguez shared footage of Mexican soldiers and sniffer dogs arriving at La Guaira’s international airport, which is currently limited to state and military flights. Additional aid is being routed through airports in Maracay and Valencia.
Coordinated Relief Efforts
Tom Fletcher, the UN aid chief, indicated that the organization is coordinating international rescue teams and emphasized the need for a “massive collective effort” in a country where 8 million people required humanitarian assistance even before the earthquakes struck. Ciro Ugarte, emergency director for the UN’s Pan American Health Organization and World Health Organization, highlighted the critical nature of the initial hours following the disaster, noting that hospitals are treating numerous patients with broken bones and burns.
SpaceX’s Starlink announced it would provide free internet service through July 25 for new and existing customers in affected areas, while also working to deploy terminals in the hardest-hit zones to restore communications.
In the vital oil sector, foreign energy companies reported that their operations have not faced significant disruptions, and oil infrastructure appears to have been largely spared from damage. Meanwhile, the Caracas Stock Exchange has remained closed, repurposed as an aid collection center.
The earthquakes mark a tragic chapter in Venezuela’s history, surpassing the deadliest quake recorded in 1967, which resulted in 240 fatalities.
As reported by www.arnnewscentre.ae.
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Published on 2026-06-26 06:14:00 • By FAME Delivered News Desk