Toll from twin Venezuela earthquakes climbs to 920, missing list tops 50,000

Foreign rescue teams – including some from countries which have opposed Venezuela during decades of international isolation, political repression and economic deterioration – began arriving late on Thursday, with a small contingent from the Dominican Republic the first to reach La Guaira.

In Short

• Foreign rescue teams arrive amid aid and equipment shortages
• US and other countries send aid, easing sanctions for relief
• Over 100 buildings collapse in La Guaira, the worst-hit area

The death toll from the devastating earthquakes in Venezuela has risen to 920, while 2,980 people have been injured, interim President Delcy Rodriguez said on Friday. She also announced the militarisation of La Guaira, the worst-affected province.

A website set up to take reports of people still unaccounted for had over 50,000 listed as of midday on Friday.

As foreign rescue teams and aid began arriving in Venezuela nearly two days after the twin earthquakes, authorities warned that hundreds of people remain trapped or missing. A government website set up to report missing persons had listed around 50,000 unaccounted-for individuals by Friday morning.

The 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes, among the strongest to hit Latin America in modern history, struck around 160 kilometres west of Caracas on Wednesday evening during a public holiday. The US Geological Survey has estimated the death toll could eventually exceed 10,000.

Before this disaster, Venezuela's deadliest modern earthquake occurred in 1967, claiming 240 lives.

LA GUAIRA WORST-HIT

Rodriguez, who assumed office after the United States arrested her predecessor in January, pledged a large-scale relief operation. However, rescue efforts remained uneven on Thursday, with emergency services visible in some areas while largely absent in others.

La Guaira, a coastal city near Caracas, suffered the worst destruction, with at least 100 buildings, including apartment towers, collapsing. Residents, many using only their hands and basic tools, continued searching for survivors amid complaints over the lack of heavy rescue equipment.

"He's under the slabs and there's no machinery to get him out," Yamileth Jimenez said of her 19-year-old son trapped beneath the rubble of their seven-storey apartment building.

Ordinary Venezuelans have also stepped in to help. Motorcycle convoys carrying food, medicines and essential supplies travelled from Caracas and Valencia to the affected areas through Thursday night.

FOREIGN SUPPORT FOR RESCUE, RELIEF

International rescue teams began arriving late Thursday. The Dominican Republic was the first to deploy personnel to La Guaira, while Mexico sent 250 rescuers, El Salvador 188, Spain nearly 100, and Colombia dispatched a 63-member rescue team. Switzerland and Germany have also contributed rescue crews equipped with search dogs and specialised equipment.

The United States announced $150 million in earthquake assistance after temporarily easing sanctions to facilitate humanitarian aid. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington would deploy rescue teams, while the Pentagon would help support operations at Caracas' damaged airport. Colombia, Switzerland and El Salvador have also sent relief supplies and equipment.

Rodriguez thanked countries for their assistance, saying foreign rescue teams had been deployed across different affected regions.

TRAGEDY AMID ECONOMIC, POLITICAL COLLAPSE

The disaster has struck a country already weakened by years of economic crisis, political instability and deteriorating infrastructure.

"My building is uninhabitable and now I have nothing. It's just me and my son, and I have no family in the country," said Suhayl Sarquiz, 50.

The **United Nations' migration agency estimates that nearly seven million people could be affected and has begun supplying emergency shelters and relief materials.

Near the epicentre in Moron, a coastal town in Carabobo state, homes collapsed while residents remained without electricity or running water, salvaging whatever belongings they could from the ruins.

The Caracas Stock Exchange remained closed after being converted into an aid collection centre.

Despite the widespread destruction, foreign energy companies said operations in Venezuela's vital oil sector had not suffered major disruptions, with key infrastructure largely spared.

- Ends