Race to find survivors after twin earthquakes hit Venezuela

Rescue teams and volunteers in northern Venezuela are in a desperate race against time to pull survivors from the rubble of collapsed buildings, following two powerful earthquakes that struck the region less than a minute apart. The quakes, which measured magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, hit on Wednesday night, local time, causing widespread damage and loss of life.

The epicentres of the quakes were in Yaracuy state, west of Caracas, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The first quake struck at a depth of 22km (14 miles) and was followed by a second, magnitude 7.5 tremor at a depth of about 10km (6 miles). Nearly two dozen aftershocks followed, and experts warned that more strong aftershocks could occur in the coming days.

Acting President Delcy Rodriguez declared a state of emergency and identified La Guaira, on Venezuela's Caribbean coast north of Caracas, as the most heavily affected area. Rodriguez described La Guaira as the hardest hit, and images from the port city show residents searching through the debris of collapsed apartment blocks and waiting for medical treatment at field hospitals.

Disparate death tolls and missing counts

Reports on the death toll and the number of missing vary widely. One report, citing a source from the Associated Press, puts the death toll at at least 235, with tens of thousands potentially missing. Another account, published days later, states that at least 1,430 people have been killed and that tens of thousands remain missing. The US Geological Survey's predictive modelling indicates that the death toll will likely rise into the thousands.

As the situation unfolds, the true scale of the disaster remains unclear. The United Nations has said that up to 6.76 million people may need shelter, safe water and medical care, and has warned that the death toll and the number of bodies recovered are likely to keep rising as the rescue phase gives way to recovery.

The 72-hour window and international help

Experts have highlighted the crucial 72-hour rescue window after such disasters, the period in which it is most likely to find people alive beneath the debris. That window is now closing, and rescue crews and volunteers are working frantically to locate survivors.

In one of the most striking rescues, residents in the coastal area pulled a newborn alive from the ruins on Friday, about 32 hours after the tremors. A widely shared social media video showed a man crying as he cradled the baby.

Foreign search and rescue teams have arrived with dogs and specialised equipment. The first United States military aid flights have landed in Caracas, and a naval ship is offshore. However, the search effort has been hampered by restricted access to La Guaira state and the requirement that volunteers obtain safe-entry passes. "You need a permit to save lives. Just imagine," one would-be rescuer, Carlos Itriago, told reporters while waiting in line for permission to enter the disaster zone.

Volunteers have been digging with their bare hands to find those still trapped. "They're still alive … there's nothing more we can do," one resident, Antonio Bermuzez, told AFP. "We don't have any tools. We have no way to help." Amateur rescue efforts continue alongside professional teams, with neighbours using hammers and power tools to cut through concrete slabs.

Key Claims

  • Two powerful earthquakes, magnitude 7.2 and 7.5, struck northern Venezuela less than a minute apart.
  • The epicentres were in Yaracuy state, west of Caracas.
  • Acting President Delcy Rodriguez declared a state of emergency; La Guaira is the most heavily affected area.
  • The death toll is reported at at least 235, with tens of thousands potentially missing, but another report says at least 1,430 people have been killed.
  • The US Geological Survey predicts the death toll will likely rise into the thousands.
  • Foreign search and rescue teams have arrived with dogs and specialised equipment.
  • The 72-hour rescue window is critical for locating survivors alive.
  • The United Nations estimates up to 6.76 million people may need shelter, safe water and medical care.

Key Dates

The earthquakes struck on June 25, 2026, and the rescue effort continues. The 72-hour window after the quakes ends on Sunday, June 28.