The death toll from the devastating twin earthquakes that struck has climbed to 920, according to official reports, as desperate families continue searching for loved ones amid the ruins.
Authorities said at least 3,360 people have been injured, while more than 172 are still believed to be trapped beneath collapsed buildings. The disaster struck northern Venezuela on Wednesday, when two powerful earthquakes hit within seconds of each other. The second quake measured 7.5 on the Richter scale, making it the strongest seismic event to hit the country in the past century.
The worst destruction was reported in , a coastal region north of the capital , where hospitals, shopping malls, and hundreds of high-rise buildings were reduced to rubble.
Rescue workers have so far pulled 243 people alive from the debris, but hopes of finding more survivors are fading as time passes. The anguish of waiting relatives has intensified, with many gathering at disaster sites in search of news.
Amid the tragedy, stories of survival and sacrifice have gripped the nation, including the miraculous rescue of three siblings from beneath collapsed concrete and the heartbreaking account of a Venezuelan footballer’s wife who gave her life to save her young daughter.
Venezuela’s already fragile infrastructure and decade-long economic crisis have severely hampered relief efforts. Hospitals are struggling with shortages of medicine and medical supplies, forcing doctors to treat the injured in temporary emergency camps.
The international community has responded swiftly. Rescue teams, drones, and sniffer dogs from the , , , , and have joined the operation. Washington has also announced $150 million in emergency humanitarian assistance.
As the rescue operation continues, officials warn that the death toll may rise further, with hundreds still feared missing.
