Nine Spaniards confirmed dead as Venezuela earthquake toll passes 1,400 and rescuers pull a child alive from rubble

Death toll passes 1,400

Two earthquakes, magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5, struck Venezuela's coast last Wednesday. By Saturday the official death count had risen from 920 to 1,430, according to the president of the National Assembly, Jorge Rodríguez. He reported that 3,238 people were injured and 3,142 families affected, with 73,736 assisted so far. Interim president Delcy Rodríguez earlier cited 3,328 wounded. The state of La Guaira, north of Caracas, remains the hardest-hit zone.

“30,000 military, police, rescuers, medical personnel, paramedics and psychologists are deployed in the affected areas.”

Spanish victims updated

Spain's Foreign Ministry said nine Spanish nationals have died, up from six a day earlier. The number of Spaniards still missing dropped slightly to 131, while 14 are located but remain trapped under rubble. Rescue teams are concentrating on those 14, the ministry stressed. All consular emergency lines are open and the embassy in Caracas remains fully operational.

“The first financial package from the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation has already been delivered.”

Survivors pulled from debris

Rescuers extracted an 11-year-old boy alive on Saturday, three days after the quakes. Spanish military emergency unit personnel also freed one person after nearly 72 hours buried in the Vistamar residential zone of La Guaira. More than 1,600 international rescuers are now on the ground, including firefighters from the Community of Madrid, according to vice-minister Oliver Blanco.

“A child of 11 years has been rescued from the rubble alive 72 hours after the two earthquakes.”

Aid and machinery arrive

The first Spanish aid package, coordinated by AECID, has been handed over for immediate needs. Authorities asked civilians to avoid travelling to La Guaira to keep roads clear for heavy machinery and emergency vehicles. The parliament chief urged continued cooperation to speed up the transfer of equipment.

Rescue operations are now focused on the 14 Spaniards still trapped and hundreds of others missing across the affected coastal strip.