Rescue teams are working along Venezuela’s northern coast after powerful twin earthquakes caused widespread destruction and flattened multiple buildings.
Venezuelans raced against time on Thursday to search for survivors trapped beneath collapsed buildings after a pair of powerful earthquakes devastated the country’s northern region, killing at least 235 people and injuring around 4,300 others. Authorities warned that the death toll could rise significantly as rescue operations continued across the affected areas and many people remained missing beneath the rubble.
The earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude, struck less than a minute apart late Wednesday, severely damaging infrastructure, including the Simón Bolívar International Airport near Caracas, according to theguardian.com.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the Defence Department would support search and rescue operations in the affected region. He said the immediate priority was locating survivors trapped under debris. Rubio added that the next 72 hours were critical for rescue efforts, describing them as a “golden” window to save lives. He also noted that many people remained buried under collapsed structures.
The worst damage was reported in coastal areas near La Guaira, Catia La Mar, and Caraballeda, where several high-rise buildings collapsed. Entire families are reported missing in some locations. Officials declared La Guaira a disaster zone.
Acting President Delcy Rodríguez described the situation as a major tragedy. She said dozens of buildings had collapsed in the hardest-hit region and confirmed that rescue operations were ongoing. She also urged businesses to provide heavy machinery to assist recovery efforts.
She said the hardest-hit area remained La Guaira, where extensive damage had been recorded and rescue operations were continuing with urgency.
In Caracas, significant damage was reported in neighbourhoods including Altamira and Los Palos Grandes, where several buildings also collapsed.
The UN humanitarian agency said more than 100 buildings had been destroyed in the La Guaira region alone. It confirmed that children and elderly people were among those missing.
UN relief chief Tom Fletcher said emergency teams were being rapidly deployed, adding that international support was being mobilised to assist search and rescue operations and help affected communities.
The tremors were felt as far away as Manaus in Brazil, more than 1,000 miles from Caracas, causing panic and evacuations.
Several countries, including Brazil, Mexico, Spain, Portugal, Canada, and Qatar, have pledged humanitarian assistance. France said it would deploy 85 specialised rescuers to support emergency operations.
Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva expressed concern over the situation, saying Venezuela had shown resilience in the face of repeated hardships.
US President Donald Trump said American agencies were prepared to respond quickly and assist in relief efforts. He said the United States stood ready to help Venezuela.
The US Treasury also announced a temporary waiver of certain sanctions until October 23 to allow earthquake-related relief transactions.
