On Wednesday evening, two powerful earthquakes with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5 struck near the Venezuelan coast, occurring less than a minute apart. The 7.5 magnitude quake is the strongest Venezuela has experienced in over a century.
172 Individuals Still Trapped Under Debris
Jorge Rodríguez, the President of the National Assembly, reported that 172 people remain trapped under the rubble. Officials anticipate that the death toll could rise as rescue teams reach the most severely impacted areas.
The state of La Guaira, located near Caracas and home to the capital’s main airport, is among the hardest hit. Numerous residential buildings have collapsed there, prompting locals to begin rescue efforts even before official teams could arrive in adequate numbers. In some areas, residents use their bare hands or makeshift tools to dig through the concrete in search of trapped family members.
Authorities have cautioned the public against entering severely affected zones, as roads have become congested with volunteers, victims’ relatives, and aid convoys. Access to certain sectors has been restricted for official rescue teams.
Over 50,000 Listed as Missing
A website designed to track missing individuals now contains over 50,000 entries. These include people whom family and friends have been unable to reach since the earthquakes, not necessarily confirmed victims.
Families are posting photographs, names, and last known information of the missing, hoping to receive updates from hospitals, shelters, or rescue teams. In many communities, communication networks have been disrupted, complicating the establishment of an accurate count of casualties.
Airport Closure, Evacuations, and Hundreds of Aftershocks
The primary airport serving Caracas suffered damage and was temporarily closed after sections of the ceiling collapsed during the tremors. Online footage showed passengers fleeing the terminal in panic.
The earthquakes were felt in several northern states of Venezuela, extending to distant regions. Authorities and international agencies have reported hundreds of aftershocks, including a 4.9 magnitude tremor felt Friday in Caracas and nearby cities.
Experts warn that these aftershocks could cause further collapses of already weakened structures, complicating rescue operations.
International Aid Flows into Venezuela
Numerous countries have sent or pledged search and rescue teams, specially trained dogs, medical supplies, tents, generators, and food. The United States has announced a $150 million aid package and dispatched specialized teams, including firefighters, doctors, engineers, and search dogs.
Teams from El Salvador, Mexico, Spain, Germany, France, Italy, India, and other nations are involved or on their way to Venezuela. The UN is coordinating part of the humanitarian response in a country already struggling with years of economic crisis and fragile infrastructure.
“We’ve Lost Everything”
Survivors recount scenes of chaos and despair. Many have slept on streets, in parks, or beside ruins, fearing to enter damaged buildings. While some search for missing relatives, others struggle to find water, medicine, and food.
Reuters also reported incidents of looting in some affected areas amid a lack of order and delayed aid. Authorities claim to have mobilized security forces and additional teams, but locals in the hardest-hit regions say the response remains insufficient.
The earthquakes in Venezuela could become one of the most severe natural disasters in Latin America in recent years, with officials warning that the final toll could be significantly higher.
Împotriva articolelor redacției noastre, persoanele nemulțumite pot formula Contestație în termen de 10 zile de la publicarea articolului, la judecătoria Orășenească nr. 1 München Bayern Deutschland, in conformitate cu Legea federală Germană. Considerăm că nu se pot formula acțiuni la instanțele din România deoarece nici o persoană care activează în trustul nostru nu poate fi extrasă de sub jurisdicția federală germană. Considerăm că redacția noastră nu răspunde în fața autorităților din România ci doar celor federale sau civile germane. deoarece legea română nu are efecte de extraneitate asupra redacției chiar dacă subiectul știrilor face obiectul unor evenimente sau persoane din România și sunt scrise în limba română. Limba română nu este izvor de extraneitate a legii.
