Venezuela Earthquake Death Toll Rises as Searches Continue

The Venezuela earthquake death toll continued to rise Friday as families searched through collapsed buildings with little official assistance, while international rescue teams rushed into the country to help locate survivors.

Authorities said at least 920 people have died, more than 3,300 have been injured, and over 51,000 people remain missing following the powerful earthquakes that struck northern Venezuela late Wednesday.

Families begin rescue efforts themselves

Residents in some of the hardest-hit communities said they were forced to search for relatives without sufficient government support.

Using hammers, power tools, and their bare hands, neighbors dug through piles of concrete in hopes of reaching loved ones still trapped beneath collapsed buildings.

The search has become increasingly urgent as the first 48 to 72 hours after a major earthquake are widely considered the most critical period for rescuing survivors.

In La Guaira, one of the areas that suffered the greatest destruction, many families said heavy equipment capable of lifting large concrete slabs had yet to arrive.

“We’re making a call for help to governments around the world,” one resident said, pleading for specialized rescue machinery.

International aid effort expands

The humanitarian response continued to grow throughout Friday.

Venezuelan authorities said 861 international volunteers from countries including the United States, Mexico, Colombia, El Salvador, and Switzerland are already assisting rescue operations.

The United Nations announced that approximately 1,000 emergency responders representing 25 international search-and-rescue teams are deploying to Venezuela.

Convoys carrying heavy machinery, emergency personnel, food, water, and medical supplies continued arriving in affected regions.

Government faces growing criticism

Acting President Delcy Rodríguez said the government is working tirelessly to coordinate rescue operations and distribute emergency supplies.

Officials have deployed military personnel and emergency workers across disaster zones while welcoming international assistance.

However, many residents argue that official rescue efforts remain insufficient compared to the scale of the disaster.

The catastrophe presents a significant challenge for Rodríguez’s administration as Venezuela continues to struggle with years of economic instability and weakened public infrastructure.

Millions affected by the disaster

The International Organization for Migration estimates that as many as 6.76 million people may have been affected by the earthquakes, including roughly 2 million residents in Caracas.

Thousands of survivors remain without permanent shelter and are sleeping outdoors because of fears that damaged buildings could collapse during aftershocks.

In some communities, shortages of food, drinking water, and basic supplies have led to isolated incidents of looting and overcrowding around aid distribution points.

Authorities cautioned that the number of missing may include duplicate reports or people who have temporarily lost communication due to widespread telecommunications outages.

Stories of survival offer hope

Despite the devastation, rescue teams continue to find survivors beneath collapsed buildings.

One of the most dramatic rescues occurred Friday when Daniel Cordero was pulled alive from the rubble in Catia La Mar nearly two days after the earthquake struck.

Elsewhere, emergency crews rescued a young girl trapped inside a collapsed apartment building in La Guaira. Officials praised her determination after she survived beneath the debris until rescuers reached her.

Authorities said 243 people have been rescued alive so far.

Twin earthquakes caused widespread destruction

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the twin earthquakes measured 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude and were centered near Morón on Venezuela’s Caribbean coast, roughly 170 kilometers (105 miles) west of Caracas.

Experts say the combination of two powerful earthquakes occurring in quick succession and their relatively shallow depth significantly amplified the destruction across northern Venezuela.

Search operations are expected to continue around the clock as international rescue teams arrive and hopes remain that additional survivors may still be found beneath the rubble.