By Elsie Kamsiyochi
Foreign rescue teams from across the world have begun arriving in Venezuela as the country races against time to find survivors following two catastrophic earthquakes that devastated communities around the capital, Caracas. Nearly two days after the twin quakes struck, emergency workers, volunteers, and desperate families continue searching through collapsed buildings, hoping to rescue those believed to be trapped beneath the rubble.
Authorities have confirmed that at least 589 people have lost their lives, while nearly 3,000 others have been injured. Officials fear the death toll could rise sharply as rescue operations continue. More than 50,000 people have been reported missing through an official government registry established to help families locate loved ones, highlighting the enormous scale of the disaster.
The powerful earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude, struck approximately 160 kilometers west of Caracas on Wednesday evening during a national public holiday, catching many residents at home or celebrating with family and friends. The disaster has become one of the most destructive natural catastrophes in Venezuela’s modern history and among the strongest earthquakes recorded in Latin America.
The hardest-hit area is the coastal city of La Guaira, where entire apartment buildings, homes, and commercial properties were reduced to piles of concrete and twisted steel. Officials estimate that more than 100 buildings have collapsed in the city alone, leaving thousands homeless and forcing survivors to sleep outdoors.
Scenes across the disaster zone remain heartbreaking. Families have spent hours digging through debris using nothing more than their bare hands, shovels, and makeshift tools while waiting for heavy rescue equipment to arrive. Many say every passing hour reduces the chances of finding relatives alive.
Among those waiting anxiously is Yamileth Jimenez, who believes her 19-year-old son remains trapped beneath the ruins of their seven-story apartment building.
“He’s under the slabs, and there’s no machinery to get him out,” she said, expressing frustration over the slow arrival of specialized rescue equipment.
Although Venezuelan authorities have deployed firefighters, police officers, military personnel, and civil protection units across affected regions, residents in several communities complained that emergency assistance arrived slowly or remained insufficient during the crucial first hours after the earthquakes.
Interim President Delcy Rodriguez has pledged a nationwide emergency response and thanked the international community for its support. She said foreign rescue teams are being deployed to the areas suffering the greatest destruction as the government works to coordinate relief efforts.
The international response has grown rapidly despite Venezuela’s years of political tensions and international isolation. Rescue personnel from the Dominican Republic were among the first foreign teams to arrive, followed by large contingents from Mexico, Spain, El Salvador, Colombia, Switzerland, and Germany. Many of the teams have brought specially trained search-and-rescue dogs, advanced listening devices capable of detecting trapped survivors, thermal imaging equipment, and heavy machinery designed to remove debris safely.
The United States has announced $150 million in humanitarian assistance and temporarily eased longstanding sanctions to ensure emergency relief can reach Venezuela without legal restrictions. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said American rescue teams would assist search operations, while the Pentagon would help restore operations at Caracas’ damaged airport to facilitate the arrival of aid.
Beyond official assistance, ordinary Venezuelans have mobilized in remarkable numbers. Volunteers have organized motorcycle convoys carrying food, bottled water, medicine, blankets, and emergency supplies from Caracas, Valencia, and neighboring cities into the worst-affected communities. Many citizens have opened their homes to displaced families, while local organizations continue collecting donations.
The disaster has struck a country already weakened by years of economic hardship, political instability, and deteriorating public infrastructure. Millions of Venezuelans continue to struggle with poverty, making recovery even more challenging for those who have lost homes, businesses, and loved ones.
“My building is uninhabitable and now I have nothing,” said Suhayl Sarquiz, who lost both her home and her job in recent months. “It’s just me and my son.”
Another survivor, Pedro Perez, said both his family home and upholstery workshop were destroyed.
“We lost everything,” he said as he prepared to spend another night sleeping on the street with his family. “We hope help arrives quickly.”
Communities closer to the earthquake’s epicenter, including the seaside town of Moron in Carabobo state, remain without electricity and running water. Residents are attempting to recover furniture, household appliances, and personal belongings from damaged homes while waiting for humanitarian assistance.
The United Nations estimates that nearly seven million people could be affected by the disaster and has begun distributing emergency shelter materials and relief supplies through humanitarian agencies operating in the country.
Despite the widespread destruction, Venezuela’s vital oil industry appears to have escaped significant damage. Foreign energy companies reported that production facilities and export infrastructure suffered only limited disruption, helping prevent further economic shocks.
Meanwhile, the Caracas Stock Exchange has suspended trading and transformed its premises into a collection center for food, medical supplies, clothing, and other humanitarian donations.
Rescue officials caution that the operation remains in its most critical phase, with thousands of people still unaccounted for and hopes fading as time passes. Nevertheless, emergency workers and volunteers continue their search around the clock, determined to locate survivors and provide relief to communities facing one of the darkest moments in Venezuela’s recent history.
Source Reuters
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