The death toll from the devastating earthquakes in Venezuela has climbed to 1,430, with 3,238 people injured, as rescue teams continue an urgent search for survivors before the critical 72-hour rescue window closes.
The updated figures were announced by Venezuelan lawmaker Jorge Rodríguez, who described the twin earthquakes as “the most disastrous event this republic has suffered in the last 123 years.” The catastrophic tremors have left entire communities in ruins, with thousands of families displaced and many still searching for missing loved ones.
Emergency crews, supported by volunteers and international rescue teams, are working around the clock to locate survivors trapped beneath collapsed buildings. Time is running out, as experts say the chances of finding people alive decrease significantly after the first 72 hours following a major earthquake.
Among the most emotional stories to emerge is that of a family who believes a relative may still be alive beneath the rubble after hearing him “groan” while searching through the debris. Speaking to BBC Mundo, the family said they refuse to give up hope and continue waiting for rescuers to reach the collapsed structure.
Rescue workers have also celebrated rare moments of hope amid the devastation. A newborn baby was successfully pulled alive from the rubble, providing an emotional boost to exhausted rescue teams and grieving communities. The dramatic rescue has become a symbol of resilience as search operations continue across the disaster zone.
Acting President Delcy Rodríguez has expressed confidence that more survivors can still be found despite the rising death toll. Authorities have urged rescue teams to continue searching every damaged building while emergency shelters and medical facilities remain overwhelmed by the scale of the disaster.
The earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude, struck less than a minute apart during a national holiday, catching many residents inside their homes. The powerful back-to-back tremors caused widespread structural collapses, destroyed critical infrastructure, and left thousands homeless.
Hospitals across affected regions continue treating thousands of injured survivors, while humanitarian organisations are providing emergency food, water, shelter, and medical supplies to those displaced by the disaster.
As aftershocks continue to shake affected areas, engineers are assessing damaged buildings to reduce further risks to both survivors and rescue personnel. Authorities have warned that unstable structures remain a significant danger throughout the recovery effort.
With rescue operations entering their most crucial phase, families across Venezuela continue to wait anxiously for news of missing relatives, while the nation mourns one of the deadliest natural disasters in its modern history.
