In Venezuela, the death toll resulting from the recent earthquakes has now reached 1,430, with rescuers working urgently to locate survivors within the critical 72-hour window. According to top lawmaker Jorge Rodriguez, 3,238 individuals have been injured, and 3,142 people are now homeless due to the disaster. Rodriguez, the brother of acting president Delcy Rodriguez, labeled the event as the most catastrophic in the country’s recent history.
The twin earthquakes, both with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, struck Venezuela on June 24, occurring less than a minute apart. The second quake, the strongest in over a century, has led to more than 50,000 individuals being reported missing, with estimates suggesting the potential loss of up to 10,000 lives by the US Geological Survey.
Following the powerful dual quakes that struck consecutively within seconds, causing over 250 buildings to collapse and trapping many beneath debris, emergency teams are tirelessly searching for survivors. Remarkable stories of survival include the rescue of an 18-day-old infant in La Guaira from the rubble and the birth of another baby amidst the ruins of a collapsed structure.
The epicenter of the initial earthquake was in Yaracuy, where the rocky terrain mitigated the immediate impact. Subsequently, seismic waves propagated towards La Guaira, resulting in significant destruction of entire streets. US and Spanish military forces have been mobilized to aid in the rescue operations, with the US providing $150 million in aid and dispatching warships, aircraft, and helicopters for support.
US President Donald Trump expressed readiness to assist Venezuela in a social media post, emphasizing the solidarity between the two nations. The US Treasury Department has temporarily lifted sanctions to facilitate financial transactions related to earthquake relief efforts by the Venezuelan government.
King Charles and Queen Camilla conveyed their heartfelt condolences to the people of Venezuela, expressing deep sorrow over the tragic loss of life and suffering caused by the earthquakes.