Key facts
- Twin earthquakes of magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 struck Venezuela on Wednesday evening.
- The death toll has risen to 1,450, with an expectation of further increases.
- Nearly 200 buildings have completely collapsed, and 774 are badly damaged.
- A father and son were rescued alive on Sunday, offering a glimmer of hope.
- Tens of thousands of people are still reported missing.
- Millions are feared to lack sanitation and other basic needs.
- Looting has been reported in the heavily damaged coastal city of La Guaira.
The critical 72-hour window for rescuing survivors of powerful twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela has closed, as the death toll nears 1,500 and tens of thousands remain missing. Rescue efforts are continuing, but the focus is shifting towards recovering bodies.
Two back-to-back quakes, measuring magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5, hit on Wednesday evening, causing widespread devastation. In the coastal city of La Guaira, a town about 40 kilometers north of Caracas, 189 buildings have completely collapsed, and an additional 774 have been badly damaged. Residents, alongside international rescue teams from the United States, Mexico, and France, have been digging through rubble by hand in a desperate search for loved ones.
A glimmer of hope emerged on Sunday when a man and his teenage son were found alive under the rubble by French and American rescue teams in Caraballeda. However, this isolated success comes as the crucial period for survival after such disasters has passed. Millions more people are feared to be without essential services like sanitation and clean water.
Interim Venezuelan President Delcy Rodríguez acknowledged the ongoing tragedy, praising the rescuers and stating that efforts would not be suspended. The United States has sent a disaster response team and military personnel to aid relief efforts, including expanding airport capacity and reopening a key seaport. Twenty-four nations have contributed over 521 tonnes of supplies, specialized rescue dogs, and more than 2,700 personnel.
Despite the international aid, frustration has surfaced in some affected areas, with residents complaining about the slow response from authorities and instances of looting in La Guaira. Some citizens have urged soldiers to join the rescue efforts instead of remaining idle.
The UN migration agency estimates that up to 6.76 million people could be affected, requiring shelter, water, sanitation, and healthcare. These devastating earthquakes strike Venezuela after more than a decade of severe economic crisis, which has weakened its infrastructure and public services. The United Nations estimates the physical damage at $6.7 billion, equivalent to 6% of the country's GDP.