Key facts
- Venezuela's twin earthquakes have killed at least 3,535 people.
- Over 17,800 people have been left homeless by the earthquakes.
- 16,740 people have been injured in the earthquakes.
- The number of Portuguese nationals killed has reached 96.
- Rescue efforts are concluding, leaving families to recover deceased loved ones.
- A 12-year-old girl was rescued after 32 hours trapped under rubble.
- The girl sustained a fractured foot and minor injuries.
- Interim President Delcy Rodríguez defended the nation's emergency response.
- The earthquakes struck on June 24, 2026.
The death toll from Venezuela's twin earthquakes, which struck on June 24, 2026, has risen to 3,535, with authorities reporting 16,740 injured and over 17,800 people left homeless. The number of Portuguese nationals and people of Portuguese descent killed has reached 96, including 17 children and 79 adults, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Rescue efforts are now concluding, leaving families to search for and recover the remains of their loved ones. Many report a lack of government assistance, forcing them to use rudimentary tools and their bare hands to unearth bodies in advanced states of decomposition.
Interim President Delcy Rodríguez has defended the nation's emergency response to the disaster. She vowed the country would not descend into social unrest, citing deep social solidarity amidst widespread anger over the perceived inadequate initial response. In a separate development, a 12-year-old girl was rescued after 32 hours trapped under rubble. She sustained a fractured foot and minor injuries and was found by firefighters and volunteers.
The earthquakes have caused widespread devastation, with the initial twin quakes resulting in at least 3,342 deaths and 16,740 injuries. The ongoing recovery efforts are hampered by the scale of the destruction and the perceived lack of sufficient government support, leading to frustration among survivors.