The death toll resulting from the destructive earthquakes in Venezuela has risen to 1,430 as rescue teams race against time to locate survivors before the crucial 72-hour window closes.
According to top legislator Jorge Rodriguez, a further 3,238 individuals are wounded and 3,142 have been displaced by the catastrophe. Rodriguez, the sibling of acting president Delcy Rodriguez, characterized the event as the most catastrophic in the country in the past 123 years.
Striking on June 24, twin earthquakes with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5 hit Venezuela, with the second tremor being the most powerful in over a century. More than 50,000 individuals are reported missing, and the US Geological Survey suggests the disaster might claim up to 10,000 lives.
Following the “doublet” effect where two quakes occurred within seconds of each other, over 250 structures collapsed, burying many under debris. Emergency crews are tirelessly searching for signs of life, with one family sharing hope of their relative still being alive beneath the rubble.
Amid the tragedy, there are uplifting stories of survival, such as the rescue of an 18-day-old infant from the wreckage in La Guaira and the birth of a baby under the collapsed building remains.
The epicenter of the initial quake was in Yaracuy state, with seismic waves causing significant damage in La Guaira. Both the US and Spanish military teams have joined rescue operations, with the US providing $150 million in aid and dispatching warships and aircraft for support.
In a social media post, US President Donald Trump expressed readiness to assist Venezuela, instructing government agencies to act swiftly. The US Treasury Department also temporarily lifted sanctions to facilitate financial transactions for earthquake relief efforts.
King Charles and Queen Camilla extended their sympathies to the people of Venezuela, acknowledging the tragic loss of life and suffering caused by the earthquakes.
