Death Toll from Venezuela Earthquakes Surges to 235 as Rescue Efforts Intensify
A series of powerful earthquakes in Venezuela has resulted in a rising death toll, now reported at approximately 235, according to Health Minister Carlos Alvarado. The quakes struck on Wednesday evening, with a magnitude of 7.2 occurring about 160 kilometers west of Caracas, followed by a 7.5 magnitude tremor less than a minute later. This disaster has left hundreds trapped under rubble and thousands unaccounted for, primarily in and around the capital.
Devastation in Caracas and Surrounding Areas
The earthquakes have inflicted severe damage on a nation already grappling with economic turmoil, which has left much of its infrastructure vulnerable. The US Geological Survey has classified these tremors as the strongest to hit the region since 1900. Reports indicate that at least eight hospitals, the Venezuelan Red Cross headquarters, and the French embassy have sustained significant damage.
Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello has stated that around 70,000 families in La Guaira state have been affected. La Guaira, adjacent to Caracas and home to the main airport, has been identified as one of the hardest-hit areas. Acting President Rodriguez described the region as a “disaster zone,” emphasizing the government’s collaboration with private companies to expedite rescue operations.
Emergency Response and Challenges
Electricity outages persist in various parts of La Guaira, and the Caracas airport remains closed due to structural damage. Eyewitness accounts from the airport depict scenes of chaos as ceiling panels collapsed. Emergency workers and volunteers have been tirelessly searching through the debris, although many residents have reported delays in receiving official assistance.
Yamileth Jimenez, a resident of La Guaira, expressed her distress over her 19-year-old son being trapped beneath the rubble of their seven-story apartment building. “He’s under the slabs and there’s no machinery to get him out,” she stated, having lost her father just days prior.
In La Guaira city, volunteers have resorted to digging through the wreckage with their hands as families await news of missing loved ones. Civilians along the Caracas-La Guaira highway have been transporting essential supplies like water and food, stepping in to assist as the scale of the disaster overwhelms initial rescue efforts.
Pedro Perez, a 64-year-old upholstery workshop owner, lamented the loss of his home and business, stating, “We lost everything. We have no food or medicines… We hope help arrives quickly.”
Public Reaction and Immediate Impact
The earthquakes struck during a public holiday, catching many residents at home. As buildings swayed and collapsed, people rushed into the streets. Maria Alejandra, a Caracas resident, described the scene as reminiscent of a “horror movie.”
In Moron, a coastal town near the epicenter, residents faced additional challenges as homes crumbled, leaving them without water or electricity. Approximately 200 families in a damaged residential complex are salvaging belongings, with some opting to stay with relatives while others await government assistance.
Denis Sequera, 47, recounted how her 5-year-old granddaughter helped guide her elderly father to safety during the tremors. “She kept telling my dad, ‘Grandpa, get out, put your hands over your head,'” Sequera said. “We couldn’t go back inside. We slept outside and are now waiting for help.”
Rising Concerns Over Missing Persons
The US Geological Survey has indicated that the death toll could escalate into the thousands, with a significant likelihood of exceeding 10,000. A website established to track missing individuals, supported by opposition leaders, reported over 46,000 people unaccounted for shortly after the earthquakes. These figures have not been independently verified.
International responses have begun to materialize, with various countries pledging support, including those that have historically opposed Venezuela. Rodriguez announced that international rescue teams are expected soon, expressing gratitude to leaders such as US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
In a significant move, the US has eased sanctions to facilitate earthquake aid transactions that would typically be prohibited. Trump affirmed that the United States is “ready, willing and able to help,” while Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that rescue teams would be dispatched, with the Pentagon assisting in logistics and support for Caracas’ damaged airport.
UN aid chief Tom Fletcher emphasized the need for a “massive collective effort” in a nation where 8 million people required humanitarian assistance even before the earthquakes. The UN’s Venezuelan human rights mission has urged the government to lift restrictions on social media, highlighting connectivity as a “matter of life and death.”
Additionally, SpaceX’s Starlink announced it would provide free service until July 25 for affected areas and is working to deploy terminals to restore communications in the hardest-hit zones.
Despite the devastation, foreign energy companies have reported that operations in Venezuela’s crucial oil sector have not experienced major disruptions, with oil infrastructure appearing largely intact.
Source: www.arnnewscentre.ae
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Published on 2026-06-26 06:14:00 • By the Editorial Desk
