Venezuela earthquake death toll reaches 1,430 as hopes fade for missing

Rescue efforts in Venezuela are intensifying as the death toll from a powerful earthquake climbs, with thousands still feared trapped beneath rubble. National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez reported that while some survivors are still being pulled out, the chances of finding more are fading with each passing hour.

The twin earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude, struck on Wednesday, followed by 430 aftershocks. The most severe damage occurred in the coastal state of La Guaira and the capital, Caracas, where entire neighborhoods of apartment buildings collapsed. Mexican rescue teams working in a devastated residential complex in Caracas's Chacaito district expressed doubts about finding anyone alive, citing the immense weight of the debris.

“

Given the weight of the building, the probability of survivors is very low.

Chacaito, in eastern Caracas, is one of the hardest-hit areas, with several buildings in the affluent Los Palos Grandes and Altamira neighborhoods reduced to rubble. Authorities have cordoned off surrounding streets to prevent desperate relatives from entering the disaster zones. Interim President Delcy Rodríguez faced protests during a visit to Chacaito, with one woman accusing her of exploiting the tragedy for political gain.

With power and mobile services still not fully restored in affected regions, the fate of tens of thousands remains uncertain. Over 380 homes and 13 hospitals, along with commercial and public buildings, have been destroyed or severely damaged. International aid is arriving, with rescue teams from multiple countries deploying specialized equipment and search dogs. An online platform created to help locate missing persons lists over 55,000 individuals as unaccounted for.

“

This country needs to be freed from this network of dirty relationships.