Venezuela Earthquake Death Toll Rises to 920, Anger for Slow Rescue

Darwin, 27 June : The death toll from the powerful twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela has risen to 920, as rescue crews continue searching for survivors beneath collapsed buildings amid growing public frustration over the pace of emergency operations.

Jorge Rodríguez, president of Venezuela’s National Assembly and brother of interim President Delcy Rodríguez, confirmed on Friday that the official death toll had reached 920.

Earlier, Delcy Rodríguez said nearly 3,000 people had been injured. While visiting the heavily affected state of La Guaira, she said international search-and-rescue teams had begun arriving to assist local authorities.

The twin earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5, struck within minutes of each other on Wednesday evening local time, causing widespread devastation across Caracas and several coastal regions. Hundreds of buildings collapsed, leaving thousands trapped beneath the rubble.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has warned that the eventual death toll could exceed 10,000, given the scale of destruction. Although the Venezuelan government has not released an estimate of the number of people feared dead, a public missing persons database had listed nearly 49,600 names as of Friday. The United Nations estimates that around 7 million people may have been affected by the disaster.

According to government figures, at least 250 buildings have been destroyed or severely damaged, including eight hospitals, a Red Cross building, and the French Embassy.

The disaster is being described as Venezuela’s worst earthquake in more than a century. The country’s previous major earthquake occurred in 1967, when around 240 people were killed.

Survivors Spend Nights in the Open

Rescue efforts continued overnight as desperate cries for help were heard from beneath collapsed structures. Firefighters, soldiers, and volunteers have been digging through debris, often with their bare hands due to a shortage of heavy equipment. In areas without electricity, rescuers have relied on torches and makeshift lighting.

Juan Ortiz, a resident of La Guaira, told the BBC that one of his friends had died, another remained trapped under rubble, and nearly 20 people he knew were still missing.

Many survivors have been forced to sleep outdoors after losing their homes. Pedro Pérez, 64, said both his house and business were destroyed, leaving him and his family living on the streets. Similar scenes have been reported in the coastal city of Morón, where residents are also facing severe shortages of electricity and clean water.

Volunteers have been distributing food, drinking water, and medicine to displaced families. Reuters reporters also observed members of the pro-government motorcycle group known as the “Colectivos” participating in rescue efforts.

Frustration Mounts Over Slow Rescue Response

Public anger has been growing over what many describe as a delayed official response.

Paramedic Ratni Bombart said she had spent five hours searching for her mother beneath the ruins of a collapsed 15-story apartment building in La Guaira.

“At first, no government rescue teams arrived,” she said. “Local residents had no choice but to begin digging with their bare hands and basic tools.”

Bombart also described witnessing bodies, including children, among the debris.

Another rescuer, Diego González, said he spent four hours clearing rubble to recover his 34-year-old cousin, Hilary Rodríguez, from a collapsed apartment building in the coastal city of Catia La Mar.

“The city has been devastated,” González said. “People are working with their hands, but heavy machinery is urgently needed.”

International Aid Arrives

Countries including the United States, Russia, Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Spain, France, Turkey, Switzerland, Qatar, the Dominican Republic, and El Salvador have pledged assistance to Venezuela.

Support includes rescue teams, military transport aircraft, medical personnel, humanitarian supplies, and emergency equipment. Mexican military rescue teams have already arrived at Caracas International Airport.

The United States announced $150 million in emergency assistance. President Donald Trump said on Truth Social that the earthquakes had caused devastating loss of life and pledged rapid American support. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said U.S. rescue teams, medical aid, and humanitarian relief were being deployed immediately.

Interim President Delcy Rodríguez thanked both Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin for their offers of assistance.

UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher said the United Nations is coordinating international rescue operations and warned that a large-scale global humanitarian response would be required, noting that nearly 8 million Venezuelans were already dependent on humanitarian aid before the earthquakes struck.