Venezuela earthquake toll rises to 589; international aid arrives

Venezuela is grappling with the aftermath of a powerful double earthquake that has killed at least 589 people and injured over 4,300, according to interim President Delcy Rodríguez. The full extent of the destruction remains unclear as rescue teams desperately search for survivors amidst the debris.

“

He is under the concrete slabs and there are no machines to get him out.

Thousands are still missing, feared buried under collapsed buildings. Firefighters, soldiers, and local residents are working tirelessly, often with bare hands and flashlights, to find those trapped. Power outages have hampered rescue operations in many areas. The twin tremors, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude, struck a region approximately 160 kilometers west of the capital on Wednesday.

International assistance is beginning to arrive, with the United States, Mexico, and Canada sending aid. However, despair is palpable among those affected. Yamileth Jimenez described the agonizing wait for her 19-year-old son, trapped under concrete slabs in the coastal city of La Guaira, lamenting the lack of heavy machinery for rescue. Beatriz Rodriguez spoke of the tragedy, noting one nephew died and another required amputations after being crushed by debris.

“

It is a tragedy.

A website shared by the opposition lists nearly 49,500 people as unaccounted for. The government has confirmed damage or destruction to 250 buildings, including eight hospitals and the French embassy. Many residents of Venezuela's informal settlements, known as 'barrios,' are now homeless, sleeping on the streets. Pedro Perez, 64, is among them, having lost his home and upholstery workshop, and hopes for imminent aid.

“

We have lost everything.

The United Nations is coordinating international rescue efforts, with UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Tom Fletcher stressing the need for a massive joint effort in a country already facing a severe humanitarian crisis. The UN Human Rights Mission has urged the Venezuelan government to lift restrictions on social media, highlighting its critical role in life-saving communication. UN Secretary-General António Guterres has conveyed his condolences to the victims and their families.

“

It is a massive joint effort that is needed in a country where eight million people were already dependent on humanitarian aid before the earthquake.