Neighbors search through rubble for survivors after deadly Venezuela earthquakes

Residents across northern Venezuela joined hands to search through collapsed buildings for relatives and neighbors after two powerful earthquakes struck the country, leaving more than 230 people dead and thousands injured.

The official death toll climbed to about 235 by late Thursday, while at least 4,300 people were reported injured, according to Health Minister Carlos Alvarado. Authorities warned that the number of fatalities could rise further as thousands of people remain unaccounted for and rescue operations continue.

The twin earthquakes, measuring magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5, hit on Wednesday evening. They were among the strongest earthquakes to strike Venezuela in over a century and were felt across much of the region.

According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), as many as 6.76 million people across Venezuela may have been affected, including nearly 2 million residents of the capital, Caracas. Loyce Pace, the International Red Cross’ regional director for the Americas, said many people remain too frightened to return to their homes.

Rescue teams and local residents pulled survivors from the rubble, many covered in dust and blood, including children. State television broadcast dramatic rescue scenes, including the successful rescue of a woman trapped beneath a concrete slab, with only one of her feet visible before rescuers managed to free her. However, government search and rescue teams were initially scarce outside Caracas.

The coastal state of La Guaira, located north of Caracas, was among the worst-hit areas, suffering extensive damage and heavy casualties. The region is home to the country’s main international airport, which was shut down after sustaining damage, further hampering relief operations.