Desperate Venezuelans are racing to find and rescue loved ones trapped alive beneath the rubble of collapsed buildings after two major earthquakes that killed at least 235 people. The quakes, measured at magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5 by the United States Geological Survey, hit northern Venezuela within less than a minute of each other on Wednesday night. Powerful aftershocks continued to be felt on Thursday, and Health Minister Carlos Alvarado reported the death toll had risen from 188 to at least 235, with more than 1,500 people injured.
Rescue Efforts and Challenges
Rescue efforts have been slow, with bodies still visible under debris hours after the quakes, while time ran out for some of those who were trapped and injured. In the worst-hit state of La Guaira, north of Caracas, residents listened helplessly as a young girl cried out for help for hours before she died. Elsewhere in La Guaira, three people could be heard in the rubble of a collapsed building, but residents had no tools to help them.
International Aid and Response
Offers of support have poured in from around the world. Switzerland, Spain, France, Portugal, and Mexico are sending specialists and rescue teams to Venezuela. The United States is deploying two warships, transport planes, and helicopters, along with mobilizing $150 million in aid. China, India, Brazil, and even war-battered Iran have offered help, while Pope Leo XIV has sent an initial 100,000 euros in aid to the country. The United Nations has vowed to assist Venezuela, with UN chief Antonio Guterres expressing deep sadness over the disaster.
Impact and Aftermath
The international airport in La Guaira, which suffered serious damage, has been closed, threatening to complicate relief efforts. An Italian and a Portuguese citizen were among the dead, officials from both countries confirmed. The quakes were felt in neighboring Colombia and several cities in northern Brazil. In the capital Caracas, many residents spent the night sleeping on the streets or in their cars due to the widespread panic and destruction.
