Venezuela: Rescue teams continued searching through collapsed buildings across northern Venezuela on Thursday as authorities confirmed that the death toll from the country’s powerful twin earthquakes has risen to at least 235, while more than 4,300 people have sustained injuries.
Emergency officials fear the number of casualties could increase further as thousands of people remain unaccounted for in several of the worst-affected areas. Search-and-rescue operations are continuing around the clock, with volunteers working alongside emergency responders to locate survivors trapped beneath debris.
The back-to-back earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude, struck on Wednesday evening and were felt across several neighbouring countries. The tremors caused extensive damage to homes, commercial buildings and public infrastructure, forcing residents to flee into open spaces as aftershocks rattled the region.
Health authorities said hospitals across the affected provinces have been overwhelmed by the influx of injured victims. Medical teams have been deployed to emergency shelters while temporary treatment centres are being established to handle the growing number of patients.
The coastal state of La Guaira has emerged as one of the worst-hit regions, with widespread destruction reported in residential neighbourhoods and key transport facilities. Damage to infrastructure, including the area’s main airport, has complicated the delivery of relief supplies and emergency assistance.
Scenes of grief and desperation unfolded across affected communities as families searched for missing relatives. Residents, many using little more than shovels and their bare hands, joined rescue efforts in the absence of heavy equipment. Survivors described hearing cries for help from beneath collapsed structures as neighbours worked tirelessly to free those trapped.
Authorities have appealed for calm while urging citizens to remain cautious due to the possibility of additional aftershocks. Emergency shelters have been opened to accommodate thousands of displaced residents whose homes were destroyed or declared unsafe.
The disaster has also prompted an international humanitarian response. Several countries have offered emergency assistance, while humanitarian organisations are preparing to send rescue personnel, medical supplies and relief materials to support recovery efforts. The United States has also announced temporary sanctions relief to facilitate transactions linked to humanitarian aid and disaster response.
The earthquakes are among the most powerful to strike Venezuela in generations and have left communities facing an enormous rebuilding challenge. As rescue operations continue, officials remain focused on locating survivors, restoring essential services and providing immediate support to families affected by one of the country’s deadliest natural disasters in recent history.
