Venezuela Quakes Hunt 235 Lives, Thousands Still Missing

News Desk

Caracas: The death toll from two powerful earthquakes that struck Venezuela’s capital, Caracas, and surrounding regions has risen to 235, while more than 4,300 people have been injured and tens of thousands remain missing, according to Venezuelan authorities.

Rescue teams continue searching through collapsed buildings amid fears the final death toll could climb dramatically.

Venezuelan Health Minister Carlos Alvarado said on Thursday that 235 bodies had been recovered and taken to medical facilities, adding that the full extent of the disaster was still unknown as rescue operations continued around the clock.

The earthquakes caused widespread destruction across Caracas and nearby coastal areas, leaving hundreds of buildings either destroyed or severely damaged. Jorge Rodriguez, head of Venezuela’s National Assembly, said approximately 250 buildings had collapsed or suffered major structural damage, while nearly 200 people were believed to be trapped beneath the rubble.

Critical infrastructure also sustained heavy damage. Eight hospitals, the headquarters of the Venezuelan Red Cross, and the French Embassy were among the buildings affected.

Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello said around 70,000 families had been impacted in La Guaira state, one of the worst-hit regions. Located next to Caracas and home to Venezuela‘s main international airport, La Guaira suffered extensive destruction.

Acting President Delcy Rodriguez declared the area a disaster zone and said the government was coordinating with private companies to deploy heavy machinery to accelerate rescue and relief efforts.

Power outages continued across much of La Guaira, while Caracas’ main airport remained closed after sustaining significant damage. Videos shared on social media showed terrified passengers fleeing as sections of the terminal’s roof collapsed.

Rescue workers, emergency personnel, and volunteers searched through the night for survivors trapped beneath collapsed buildings. However, many residents complained that government assistance had been slow to arrive.

Among them was La Guaira resident Yamileth Jimenez, whose 19-year-old son remained trapped beneath the ruins of a seven-story apartment building. Fighting back tears, she said heavy concrete slabs prevented rescuers from reaching him. She added that her father had died only three days before the disaster.

Across the affected areas, volunteers used their bare hands to remove debris while anxious families waited for news of missing relatives. On the highway connecting Caracas to La Guaira, residents transported food, drinking water, and medicine to support relief efforts.

“We have lost everything,” said 64-year-old Pedro Perez, whose home and business were destroyed. “We have no food or medicine. We hope help arrives soon.”

The earthquakes struck during a public holiday when many people were at home. Survivors described scenes of panic as buildings shook violently. “When we got outside, it looked like something from a horror movie,” Caracas resident Maria Alejandra said.

In the coastal town of Morón, near the epicentre, numerous homes collapsed, leaving residents without electricity or running water. Hundreds of families attempted to recover belongings from damaged buildings, while others sought shelter with relatives or awaited government emergency accommodation.

Denise Sequeira said her five-year-old granddaughter helped save her 79-year-old grandfather during the earthquake by urging him to leave the house. “She kept telling him, ‘Grandpa, come outside and cover your head.’ We spent the entire night outdoors and are now waiting for assistance,” she said.

More than 46,000 people had been reported missing by Thursday evening, according to an online registry created to help locate missing persons and shared by opposition leaders. Reuters was unable to independently verify those figures.

The US Geological Survey has warned that the final death toll could rise into the thousands and may eventually exceed 10,000 as search and recovery operations continue.

Governments around the world have pledged humanitarian assistance, including countries that have had strained relations with Venezuela. Acting President Rodriguez thanked several world leaders, including US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, for offering support.

The United States announced limited sanctions relief to facilitate earthquake aid. President Trump said the U.S. stood ready to assist Venezuela, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that emergency response teams would be deployed.

The Pentagon also pledged logistical support and assistance in restoring operations at the damaged airport.

UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher said the international community would need to mount a massive coordinated relief effort to respond to the disaster.

Meanwhile, the UN human rights mission urged Venezuelan authorities to ease restrictions on social media, describing communication as a matter of life and death during rescue operations.

Satellite internet provider Starlink announced it would offer free service in the affected regions until July 25 and deploy additional terminals to restore communications in the hardest-hit areas.

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