Key facts
- Rescue efforts are intensifying in Venezuela four days after two powerful earthquakes struck the La Guaira state.
- The government has reported over 1,400 deaths, with thousands still missing.
- Civilian-led efforts are supplementing official rescue operations, with many criticizing the government's response.
- International rescue teams and aid have arrived from various countries.
- The Simón Bolívar International Airport sustained significant damage, but one runway is operational.
Rescue efforts are continuing in Venezuela four days after two powerful earthquakes struck the northern state of La Guaira, with teams working desperately to find survivors. The government has reported over 1,400 deaths and thousands injured or missing, though many Venezuelans have criticized the official response as inadequate, with civilian-led efforts actively searching for loved ones.
International aid and rescue workers have arrived from countries including Mexico, the U.S., Brazil, El Salvador, and France. Despite the critical window for rescues closing, some survivors have been pulled from the rubble, including a man and his son by a U.S. team. The disaster has severely impacted infrastructure, with the Simón Bolívar International Airport sustaining damage, though one runway has been made operational.
The earthquakes have exacerbated Venezuela's ongoing economic and political challenges. The government has deployed military and police to the affected state, restricting access. Amidst the devastation, small moments of humanity have emerged, with rescuers comforting those trapped and international teams working alongside locals.