Search-and-rescue teams in Venezuela rescued 33 individuals from collapsed buildings over the weekend after twin earthquakes struck the northern coast, causing significant destruction. As of late Saturday, the death toll was reported at 1,430, with over 3,000 injured and a similar number displaced to shelters, according to Venezuelan authorities.
The earthquakes, measuring magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5, occurred in quick succession on Wednesday, primarily affecting La Guaira state, where many structures collapsed. Rescue operations have been complicated by ongoing aftershocks, which have hindered efforts and left many survivors exposed to the elements.
Among those rescued were an infant saved by U.S. rescuers, an 11-year-old boy found by a Colombian team, and another 11-year-old rescued by Mexican crews. Acting President Delcy Rodríguez remarked on social media that each rescue brings hope to the nation.
Sebastian Eugster, a leader of a Swiss rescue team, indicated that the chances of finding survivors significantly decrease after approximately 72 hours under debris, a deadline that passed on Saturday evening. The number of missing individuals remains uncertain, with government estimates ranging from hundreds to nearly 50,000, a decrease from 55,000 reported a day earlier. Families have reported as many as 68,900 individuals missing, highlighting the challenges in accounting for those affected.
Starlink has begun providing communication services to aid in the humanitarian response, offering free connectivity to certain mobile customers in the La Guaira region. Pope Leo expressed solidarity with the victims and their families, offering prayers for those impacted by the earthquakes.