Venezuela Earthquake Death Toll Rises to 235 as Rescue Operations Intensify

The death toll from two powerful earthquakes that struck northern Venezuela has climbed to at least 235, officials said Thursday, as rescue teams continued searching through collapsed buildings for survivors and international aid began arriving.

Health Minister Carlos Alvarado confirmed that fatalities had increased from the earlier figure of 188, while more than 1,500 people were injured in the back-to-back quakes that hit on Wednesday. Hundreds of people are still missing, with authorities warning that the number of casualties could rise further.

The earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude, struck within about a minute of each other near Venezuela’s Caribbean coast. Their shallow depth and close timing intensified the destruction, leaving large parts of northern Venezuela severely damaged.

The coastal state of La Guaira, where the country’s main international airport is located, was among the worst-hit areas. The airport was forced to shut after suffering structural damage, disrupting relief operations. Power cuts, communication failures and suspended transport services also affected parts of Caracas.

Rescue efforts continue

Emergency workers, supported by local residents, are combing through the ruins of homes and apartment buildings in search of survivors. Families gathered near damaged sites waiting for updates on missing relatives.

Acting President Delcy Rodríguez declared a state of emergency and urged businesses to provide heavy equipment to support rescue operations, calling La Guaira a “disaster zone.”

“We hope to rescue as many living people as possible,” Rodríguez said, as emergency teams from across the country were deployed to the hardest-hit regions.

Many residents raised concerns over a shortage of rescue machinery, saying that neighbors were forced to search through rubble by hand.

The earthquakes also pushed thousands of people to sleep outdoors due to fears of aftershocks. Schools were closed, while some public buildings were turned into temporary shelters and aid centers.

Global aid response

Several countries across the Americas and Europe announced emergency support as international rescue teams moved to assist Venezuela.

The United States pledged a $150 million relief package, including $50 million in direct humanitarian aid and $100 million toward a United Nations fund supporting earthquake recovery efforts.

Washington also announced the deployment of search-and-rescue teams, disaster response personnel, aircraft, helicopters and naval vessels to help with logistics and emergency operations.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the response would involve a “whole-of-government” effort, while the US Treasury temporarily eased certain sanctions to allow earthquake-related humanitarian transactions.

Spain, France, Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Chile, Cuba, Canada, Portugal, Qatar and the Dominican Republic also offered rescue teams, medical support and humanitarian supplies.

Among Venezuela’s strongest earthquakes

The United States Geological Survey said the first 7.2-magnitude quake struck west of Morón at a depth of around 22 kilometers, followed about a minute later by a stronger 7.5-magnitude earthquake at a depth of nearly 10 kilometers.

Experts said the combination of two shallow and powerful earthquakes occurring almost back-to-back greatly increased the damage.

Although Venezuela sits near several active fault zones, earthquakes of this strength are relatively rare compared with other parts of Latin America.

Authorities said search-and-rescue operations remain the top priority as emergency crews continue working through damaged areas in hopes of finding more survivors.