CARACAS: Rescue teams continued searching for survivors on Friday after two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela, killing at least 235 people, trapping hundreds under collapsed buildings and leaving tens of thousands of families affected.
According to the US Geological Survey, a magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck about 160 kilometres west of Caracas on Wednesday evening, followed less than a minute later by a stronger magnitude 7.5 tremor—the country’s most powerful earthquake since 1900.
Health Minister Carlos Alvarado said medical centres had received 235 bodies by late Thursday, while authorities warned the death toll could rise as search operations continued.
Jorge Rodriguez, head of the National Assembly, said around 200 people remained trapped beneath rubble and about 250 buildings had been damaged or destroyed. Eight hospitals, the headquarters of the Venezuelan Red Cross and the French embassy were among the structures reported to have sustained severe damage.
Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello said approximately 70,000 families in La Guaira state had been affected. The coastal state, home to Caracas’ main international airport, was among the worst-hit areas, with widespread power outages and extensive infrastructure damage forcing the closure of the airport.
Emergency responders, assisted by volunteers, continued rescue efforts through the night as residents in several areas reported delays in the arrival of heavy equipment needed to reach people trapped beneath collapsed buildings.
A website established to help locate missing persons listed more than 46,000 people as unaccounted for, although the figures could not be independently verified.
The US Geological Survey’s predictive modelling indicated the final death toll could reach into the thousands.
Countries around the world pledged humanitarian assistance, with the United States easing sanctions to facilitate earthquake relief and announcing the deployment of rescue teams and logistical support. The United Nations said it was coordinating international rescue operations, while SpaceX announced it would provide free Starlink internet services in affected areas through July 25 to help restore communications.
Despite widespread destruction, foreign energy companies said Venezuela’s oil infrastructure had largely escaped major damage and operations continued without significant disruption.