LA GUAIRA, Venezuela — Communities across northern Venezuela remained scenes of desperate rescue efforts as residents, emergency workers, and international teams searched through collapsed buildings for survivors and missing relatives after two powerful earthquakes killed at least 920 people and injured more than 3,300. Authorities warned that the toll could rise further as rescue operations continue.
The twin earthquakes, measuring magnitude 7.2 and 7.5, struck northern Venezuela on Wednesday evening, causing widespread destruction in La Guaira, Caracas, and surrounding areas. Rescue teams worked through damaged structures as families waited for news of loved ones trapped beneath the rubble.
Acting President Delcy Rodríguez said the government’s priority was to locate survivors, provide emergency assistance, and support communities affected by the disaster.
“We are going to rescue the people who are trapped,” Rodríguez said, as authorities coordinated rescue operations involving government agencies, military personnel, and emergency responders.
Officials said hundreds of people remained trapped or missing as search teams continued clearing debris. A public reporting system for missing persons recorded tens of thousands of names, although authorities said many reports still required verification.
The coastal state of La Guaira was among the hardest-hit areas, with numerous buildings damaged or destroyed. Emergency crews established search zones while distributing food, water, and medical supplies to survivors.
Residents described scenes of fear and uncertainty as aftershocks continued and many families avoided returning to damaged homes.
“People are still terrified to reenter what were their homes,” humanitarian officials said, describing the fear among survivors after losing their sense of safety.
In Caracas and nearby communities, many residents spent the night outdoors in parks, parking areas, and open spaces, fearing additional collapses from weakened structures.
Families posted photographs of missing relatives and shared information through social networks as communication problems made it difficult for some people to contact loved ones.
Despite the scale of destruction, rescue teams continued finding survivors trapped beneath collapsed structures.
Emergency responders reported successful rescues as teams used specialized equipment, search dogs, and coordinated operations to reach people buried under debris.
The arrival of international rescue teams provided additional support as Venezuela’s emergency services faced one of the largest disaster responses in the country’s recent history.
International assistance began arriving as countries deployed rescue personnel, equipment, and humanitarian supplies.
Teams from several nations joined Venezuela’s search-and-rescue operations, while humanitarian organizations monitored the growing needs for medical care, shelter, and emergency assistance.
The United Nations estimated that millions of people could be affected by the disaster, including residents of heavily populated urban areas.
The earthquake has created a major challenge for Venezuela’s government, which has already faced years of economic and political difficulties.
Authorities declared emergency measures and announced plans for reconstruction and assistance for damaged communities.
The disaster also renewed attention on Venezuela’s vulnerability to seismic activity. The U.S. Geological Survey reported that the two earthquakes occurred near the country’s northern Caribbean region, an area influenced by active fault systems.
Experts said the shallow nature of the earthquakes and their close timing likely contributed to the severity of the destruction.
International rescue teams continued arriving as governments and humanitarian organizations pledged assistance.
Neighboring countries and international partners sent emergency personnel, medical supplies, and specialized rescue equipment to help Venezuelan authorities search for survivors and support affected communities.
As rescue operations continued, families across northern Venezuela remained waiting for answers, hoping that more survivors could still be found beneath the rubble.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
