Rescue Efforts Continue in Venezuela as Death Toll Rises After Twin Earthquakes

Rescue teams in Venezuela are continuing their difficult work as the death toll from last week’s twin earthquakes has risen to at least 1,719. According to National Assembly president Jorge Rodriguez, more than 5,000 people have been wounded and over 15,000 are now homeless. These disasters, which struck with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, are considered the worst earthquakes in the country in over a century.

While the situation remains desperate, there was a small moment of relief on Sunday when a man and his teenage son were pulled alive from the rubble in the town of Caraballeda. This rescue occurred nearly four days after the buildings collapsed. Interim president Delcy Rodríguez praised the international and local rescuers for their persistence, stating that the government would not stop its efforts to find survivors. However, experts note that the 72-hour window—the most critical time period to find people alive after a disaster—has now passed.

The scale of the destruction is immense. According to reports from The Guardian, nearly 200 buildings were completely destroyed, and hundreds more were badly damaged. In the hard-hit city of La Guaira, the situation is particularly difficult. A hotel that was housing 140 people recently deported from the United States collapsed during the earthquake. Most of these individuals are now believed to have died, according to reports cited by Deutsche Welle.

As the search continues, the United Nations is preparing for a very high number of deaths. Gianluca Rampolla del Tindaro, the UN’s coordinator for Venezuela, confirmed that the organization is providing 10,000 body bags to the country. While he expressed hope that the final death toll would be lower, he noted that the current figures are expected to rise significantly. The UN migration agency also estimates that up to 6.76 million people may need urgent help, including clean water, shelter, and medical care.

International support has become a vital part of the recovery process. Twenty-four nations have sent over 500 tons of supplies and thousands of rescue workers to assist. The United States has been a major contributor, recently doubling its aid commitment to $300 million. US military personnel are currently working to repair the port of La Guaira to allow more ships to deliver food and medicine. Additionally, US airmen are helping to manage traffic at the Simon Bolivar International Airport, which was damaged but has partially reopened for cargo and aid flights.

Despite the arrival of aid, some local residents have expressed frustration with the speed of the response. In parts of La Guaira, there have been reports of looting at supermarkets and pharmacies. Some citizens have publicly criticized the authorities, calling for more direct action to help those trapped in the ruins. One resident in the Tanaguarena area was seen shouting at soldiers, urging them to put down their weapons and help dig through the debris instead.

Venezuela was already facing a difficult economic crisis before these earthquakes occurred. The country’s hospitals were already struggling with limited resources, and the disaster has made these existing problems much worse. Millions of people now lack basic sanitation and other essential needs. The government is now trying to manage both the immediate rescue operations and the long-term challenge of rebuilding damaged infrastructure.

As the search for survivors slowly turns into a recovery operation for the deceased, the international community remains focused on providing relief. With thousands still missing, the coming days will be critical for the families affected by this tragedy. The government continues to work with international partners to ensure that aid reaches the areas where it is needed most, even as the country faces one of its most challenging moments in recent history.