Key facts
- At least 1,430 deaths confirmed following back-to-back earthquakes in Venezuela.
- Hundreds of buildings collapsed, trapping thousands under rubble.
- The UN estimates approximately 50,000 people are missing.
- Rescue efforts are underway with limited national and international resources.
- Survivors are facing difficult conditions, including the smell of death and lack of aid.
The smell of death permeates areas devastated by back-to-back earthquakes in Venezuela, as rescuers engage in a desperate race against time to find survivors. The coastal state of La Guaira and the capital district have been severely impacted by the magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 tremors, which have caused catastrophic damage and collapsed hundreds of buildings.
Officials have confirmed at least 1,430 deaths, with the number of injured and deceased rising hourly. The United Nations estimates that approximately 50,000 people are missing, many believed to be trapped beneath the debris. Residents and families are sifting through the rubble with bare hands and shovels, listening for any signs of life, while drones scan overhead.
National rescue teams are scarce, but international aid has begun to arrive from countries including Mexico, Spain, the US, and the UK. However, humanitarian agencies emphasize that the first 48 to 72 hours are critical for saving lives, a window that can be extended with access to food and water. The scale of the tragedy is immense, with thousands of Venezuelans remaining unaccounted for.
In towns like Catia La Mar, the mood is bleak, with few structures left standing. Government forces are distributing food and water, and interim President Delcy Rodríguez has stated that a comprehensive rescue response is being deployed. Families anxiously await news, with some, like Jesús Suárez, traveling long distances to search for loved ones, facing the dilemma of being unable to rescue them without heavy machinery.
Relatives of those trapped, like Carlos Eduardo, are listening for any sounds of life, but the silence that follows can be agonizing. Soldiers and volunteers are calling for quiet to better detect faint sounds from beneath the rubble. Drones are being used to search hard-to-reach areas, and families huddle around video feeds, desperately seeking any familiar item.
The lingering smell of decaying bodies is a grim reality, with residents like Glendys Delgado expressing concern about health impacts. Some affected areas have not yet received official government assistance, relying instead on support from people in Caracas. The interim president reported speaking with US President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who reaffirmed their commitment to send rescue teams and aid.
Survivors like Alexandra Gabino, who lost her home and is now sheltering with her family in their car at the Maiquetía airport, speak of the emotional toll. The destruction of hard-earned possessions is painful, but the priority is life. The helplessness of witnessing suffering and being unable to do more while caring for one's own children is a profound emotional burden, as she states, "You try to be strong, but it hurts."