Venezuela quake death toll tops 1,400 as rescue efforts intensify

The search for survivors in Venezuela intensified Saturday as the death toll from twin earthquakes and subsequent aftershocks climbed above 1,400. International rescue teams began arriving, bolstering efforts in hard-hit coastal areas like La Guaira and parts of Caracas.

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I hope they don’t find her

Volunteers and families have been tirelessly sifting through rubble, often expressing frustration over the scarcity of heavy machinery and the pace of the official response. "I hope they don’t find her" alive, said Alejandro Serrano, an industrial engineer searching for his sister in Caraballeda, a sentiment reflecting the desperate hope amidst the devastation.

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But I need to find her.

Residents in areas like Caraballeda and Los Corales described an uneven response, with some neighborhoods receiving more aid than others. Many have been sleeping outdoors due to persistent aftershocks, their nerves frayed by the ongoing crisis. "It hurts to see people struggle so much only to lose everything," said Beisy Rivas, a resident of Los Corales.

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Since the night of the earthquakes, almost all the neighbors have been sleeping in the street because of the aftershocks. My nerves are on edge, thinking about the dead and about the people who lost relatives.

Authorities have maintained checkpoints on the main road from Caracas to La Guaira, prioritizing emergency vehicles and restricting civilian access. Power is gradually being restored to the region, which has long suffered from an unreliable grid due to underinvestment and sanctions. Meanwhile, a staggering number of over 55,000 people are listed as missing on a dedicated website.

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It hurts to see people struggle so much only to lose everything