Rescue teams race to Venezuela amid fears thousands killed in earthquakes

Rescue operations are underway on Venezuela's northern coast following a series of powerful earthquakes that have reduced numerous buildings to rubble, with fears that thousands may have perished. The U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, confirmed that the Department of Defense will assist in deploying search and rescue teams.

“

Their most immediate need right now is search and rescue efforts. They have [lots of] collapsed buildings and so they will need a lot of help in terms of digging through that.

The region, particularly the coastal areas near Simón Bolívar International Airport, including La Guaira, Catia La Mar, and Caraballeda, appears to have suffered the most severe damage. Large apartment blocks have been flattened, and residents are desperately searching for missing family members. The acting president, Delcy Rodríguez, declared the La Guaira region a "disaster zone," describing the situation as an "utter tragedy."

“

In search and rescue you are trying to get to people while you can still save their lives – they are buried under rubble.

The earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude, struck less than 40 seconds apart late Wednesday afternoon. Venezuela's capital, Caracas, also sustained significant damage, with buildings collapsing in the Altamira and Los Palos Grandes neighborhoods. The UN's humanitarian agency, Ocha, reported that over 100 buildings collapsed in the La Guaira region alone, including residential complexes and hotels.

“

This is an utter tragedy.

International leaders have offered condolences and support to Venezuela, a nation already grappling with a severe economic and humanitarian crisis. The UN agency is mobilizing resources, emphasizing the urgent need for search and rescue support. The critical "golden hours" for finding survivors are ticking away, adding urgency to the ongoing efforts.

“

We are fully mobilised right now … We will surge in people, we will surge in solidarity and, most important, we will surge in search and rescue support … for people who have lost so much … Now is the time for action.