The death toll from the powerful twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela on Wednesday has climbed to 920, with thousands still missing as rescue teams continue searching collapsed buildings across the country’s worst-hit regions.
Authorities said the casualty count is expected to rise further as emergency workers gain access to devastated areas. Thousands have been injured, while international rescue personnel and humanitarian agencies have joined efforts to locate survivors and deliver relief supplies.
Thousands injured as search continues
Venezuela’s National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez said on Friday that 2,980 people have been injured. He added that thousands remain unaccounted for.
A website set up to help trace missing people lists nearly 50,000 individuals as missing, although that figure has not been independently verified.
According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquakes measured 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude and struck less than a minute apart on Wednesday evening. The epicentre was near the coastal town of Moron, around 160 km west of Caracas.
The USGS described the event as a rare seismic “doublet”, in which two major earthquakes occur within seconds in the same area. Early modelling by the agency estimates the final death toll could range between 10,000 and 100,000.
La Guaira bears the brunt of destruction
The coastal state of La Guaira has suffered the heaviest damage.
According to officials, the area has been declared a disaster zone after widespread structural destruction. Authorities said 346 buildings have been damaged or destroyed, including eight hospitals and the headquarters of the Venezuelan Red Cross.
The Simon Bolivar International Airport, which serves Caracas, has also been shut because of structural damage.
International aid reaches affected areas
Rescue teams from several countries, including the United States, Mexico, Spain and El Salvador, have arrived to support search operations.
The US Department of State said American personnel are assisting with search-and-rescue efforts and delivering humanitarian and medical supplies.
The US Embassy in Caracas said the first shipment of specialised equipment has reached Venezuela to support two US search-and-rescue teams. Each team includes nearly 80 specialists, including firefighters, doctors, structural engineers and 12 search dogs trained to locate people trapped under debris.
The embassy said the teams are being positioned to move into the worst-affected areas as soon as conditions permit.
The US Treasury Department has also temporarily eased sanctions to facilitate humanitarian aid deliveries.
Mexico, UN express support
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo spoke with Venezuela’s Acting President Delcy Rodriguez and conveyed condolences to families affected by the disaster.
In a post on X, Sheinbaum said Mexico had already begun deploying humanitarian assistance and would remain ready to provide additional support if required.
The United Nations said an estimated 3.9 million children live in areas affected by the earthquakes. It added that UNICEF is working with national authorities to support vulnerable children and their families.
Fresh tremor recorded
A 4.9-magnitude earthquake was recorded off Venezuela’s northern coast on Friday, according to Al Jazeera.
The latest tremor came two days after the twin earthquakes that devastated parts of Caracas and surrounding regions.
Authorities have warned that the death toll could continue to increase as rescue operations remain underway.