Venezuela is grappling with one of the worst natural disasters in its history after two powerful earthquakes struck within a minute of each other, leaving widespread destruction and a rapidly rising death toll.
Interim President Delcy Rodríguez has vowed that her government will do everything possible to rescue survivors, saying authorities remain committed to saving “as many people as possible” as emergency operations continue across the country.
Death Toll Nearly Doubles
Speaking after touring La Guaira, the region hardest hit by the disaster, Rodríguez expressed condolences to families who lost loved ones and acknowledged the immense scale of the tragedy.
Her brother, Jorge Rodríguez, who serves as president of the National Assembly, announced that the official death toll had risen to 920, nearly doubling earlier figures. Authorities also confirmed that close to 3,000 people have sustained injuries.
Thousands Still Missing
According to United Nations aid chief Tom Fletcher, more than 50,000 people remain unaccounted for following the devastating earthquakes.
The twin tremors, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude, struck on Wednesday evening, flattening homes, hotels and other buildings across northern Venezuela, leaving entire communities buried beneath rubble.
As hopes of finding more survivors begin to fade, international search and rescue teams have started arriving in Venezuela to support local emergency responders.
Heavy machinery, rescue dogs and specialized teams are being deployed in the worst-hit areas as authorities continue searching collapsed buildings for anyone who may still be trapped.
Frustration Over Response
Despite ongoing rescue efforts, frustration is mounting among residents over what many perceive as a slow government response to the disaster. Families continue waiting anxiously for news of missing relatives while rescue workers race against time in difficult conditions.
Officials have pledged to strengthen relief efforts as humanitarian organizations mobilize additional support for affected communities.
As rescue teams continue searching through the rubble, the world watches and hopes that more survivors will be found amid one of Venezuela’s darkest moments in recent history.
