Death toll in Venezuela quake tops 1,400 as rescue efforts intensify

The death toll from Venezuela's devastating twin earthquakes climbed above 1,400 on Saturday, as international rescue teams poured into the country. Authorities and foreign rescuers are pressing on with the urgent search for survivors in the hardest-hit coastal areas.

Rescuers have been fanning out across La Guaira and parts of Caracas. In these regions, families and volunteers have spent days digging through collapsed buildings for survivors and bodies, often expressing frustration over a lack of heavy equipment and a limited official presence. The disaster response has been described as uneven by some residents.

More than 1,600 foreign rescuers have arrived, with additional teams en route, bolstering the international response to the quakes that struck Wednesday and triggered hundreds of aftershocks. Top lawmaker Jorge Rodriguez reported the death toll reached 1,430, with thousands injured. Aid is being distributed, and families have been moved to shelters.

Authorities continue to restrict access to La Guaira and control the main road from Caracas, citing traffic delays for emergency vehicles. Civilians require credentials to pass checkpoints. Power is being gradually restored, though Venezuela's grid is notoriously unreliable due to underinvestment and sanctions. While the government reports hundreds missing, an opposition website lists over 55,000 people unaccounted for. The US Geological Survey estimated over 10,000 deaths were possible, potentially making these among Latin America's deadliest earthquakes.

“

The death toll from Venezuela's devastating twin earthquakes rose above 1,400 on Saturday (Jun 27) as foreign rescue teams poured into the country and authorities pressed on with the search for survivors in the hardest-hit coastal areas.