Venezuela earthquake death toll climbs to 1,430, with 50,000 still missing as rescue teams arrive
Three days after a double earthquake struck northern Venezuela, international rescue teams are arriving as survivors are still being pulled from rubble, though the death toll has climbed to 1,430 with 50,000 missing.
The disaster
On Wednesday 24 June, two earthquakes struck northern Venezuela, devastating coastal towns including La Guaira and affecting the capital Caracas. The death toll rose to at least 1,430 by Saturday, with 50,000 people still listed as missing, according to official figures released on 27 June. An earlier count had put the toll at 920. Damages are estimated at 6% of Venezuela's GDP.
Rescue operations
About 2,000 search and rescue specialists from countries including the UK, Mexico, Costa Rica, France, and Spain have arrived, while 14,000 Venezuelan military personnel have been mobilized. In Caracas, one runway has been reopened to receive US aircraft carrying humanitarian aid.
I still have faith and hope survivors will be rescued.
Moments of hope
On Friday, 32 hours after the quakes, an 18-day-old baby was pulled alive from the rubble of a collapsed building in La Guaira. The rescue brought a surge of optimism, but many residents are still searching with bare hands.
- Two earthquakes strike northern Venezuela.
- An 18-day-old baby rescued from rubble in La Guaira, 32 hours after quakes.
- International rescue teams arrive; Caracas airport reopens for aid; government restricts access to La Guaira.
Criticism and access restrictions
As international aid began to arrive, frustration grew among locals who complained of having to dig through debris without proper equipment. The government restricted access to the disaster zone around La Guaira, some 40 km from Caracas, to facilitate rescue work. The move drew suspicion, with some questioning the accuracy of the official missing persons numbers.
Economic toll
The twin quakes caused damage equivalent to 6% of Venezuela's GDP, with at least 100 buildings collapsed in La Guaira alone.
