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Venezuela Reels From Devastating Quake: Death Toll Rises Amidst Rescue Efforts
🇬🇷 Greece /Disasters & Emergencies

Venezuela Reels From Devastating Quake: Death Toll Rises Amidst Rescue Efforts

From Ta Nea · () Greek

Translated from Greek, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement Ongoing story
  • Venezuela faces one of its worst natural disasters after two powerful earthquakes struck the country within a minute, causing building collapses and widespread damage.
  • At least 188 people have died and over 1,000 are injured, with authorities fearing the death toll will rise as rescue operations continue in isolated areas.
  • The state of La Guaira is the most affected, declared a disaster zone, where residents and rescuers are working tirelessly to find survivors amidst the rubble, often with limited equipment.

Venezuela is grappling with a devastating natural disaster after two strong earthquakes struck the nation, causing widespread destruction and a rising death toll. The tremors led to the collapse of buildings, widespread panic, and severe damage to critical infrastructure.

Official reports indicate at least 188 fatalities and over 1,000 injuries, with authorities concerned that the number of victims will increase as rescue efforts persist in cut-off regions. The state of La Guaira, north of the capital Caracas, has borne the brunt of the disaster and has been declared a disaster zone. Entire neighborhoods have suffered extensive damage, and rescue teams, military personnel, firefighters, and volunteers are working around the clock in the debris, searching for survivors.

We are trying to help with what we can, but there is a lack of equipment.

— Carlos BorgesA resident expressing frustration over the lack of heavy machinery for rescue efforts.

Nearly 24 hours after the initial quakes, residents were seen using their bare hands to free neighbors from the rubble. "We are trying to help with what we can, but there is a lack of equipment," said Carlos Borges, expressing frustration over the absence of heavy machinery like excavators needed to clear the massive concrete slabs of collapsed multi-story buildings. His group managed to rescue three people from one building, while relatives of the missing anxiously awaited news.

Residents in La Guaira and Morón, near the epicenter, are largely confronting the devastation on their own due to limited official aid. "Can't we call the army? Everyone come, come and help. Put them in an armored vehicle and come help the people. Find tractors wherever you can," pleaded Argenis Martínez, a resident searching for a relative in the ruins. During the night, some debris caught fire despite a gas outage, leaving terrified residents without safe shelter, gathered in streets or searching through damaged buildings for survivors.

Can't we call the army? Everyone come, come and help. Put them in an armored vehicle and come help the people. Find tractors wherever you can.

— Argenis MartínezA resident pleading for more official assistance and resources to find a relative in the rubble.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Ta Nea in Greek. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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