Venezuela Earthquake Death Toll Rises to 920 as Rescue Efforts Intensify

Caracas, June 2026: The death toll from the catastrophic twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela earlier this week has climbed to 920, as rescue teams continue to search devastated communities, National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez announced on Friday.

In a televised address, Rodriguez said the casualty figure had risen sharply after emergency responders gained access to several previously isolated areas. Authorities warned that the number of fatalities is expected to increase further as search operations continue in collapsed buildings and remote locations.

According to official figures, at least 2,980 people have been injured, while thousands remain missing. A website created to help families locate missing relatives currently lists nearly 50,000 people as unaccounted for, although officials have cautioned that the number has not yet been independently verified.

The powerful earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude, struck less than a minute apart on Wednesday evening. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) identified the epicentre near the coastal town of Moron, approximately 160 kilometres west of Caracas.

Seismologists described the event as a rare seismic doublet, in which two major earthquakes occur within seconds of each other in the same region. Based on early damage assessments, the USGS has warned that the final death toll could range from 10,000 to 100,000, depending on the extent of destruction and the number of people trapped beneath collapsed structures.

The coastal state of La Guaira, located north of Caracas, has emerged as the worst-affected region. Acting President Delcy Rodriguez has declared the state a disaster zone after widespread destruction left dozens of buildings in ruins and caused extensive damage to critical infrastructure.

Government officials said 346 buildings have either collapsed or sustained severe structural damage, including eight hospitals and the headquarters of the Venezuelan Red Cross. The country’s main gateway, Simon Bolivar International Airport, has also been shut down after inspectors found significant structural damage.

International assistance has begun arriving as rescue efforts intensify. Emergency response teams from the United States, Mexico, Spain and El Salvador have joined local authorities in search-and-rescue operations, bringing specialised equipment and personnel to help locate survivors trapped under debris.

In a move aimed at facilitating humanitarian relief, the US Treasury Department has temporarily eased sanctions on Venezuela to allow aid deliveries and emergency assistance to reach affected areas more efficiently.

Acting President Delcy Rodriguez expressed gratitude to the international community for its support, saying the cooperation would play a vital role in rescue and relief efforts.

With thousands still missing and emergency crews continuing their painstaking search through the rubble, officials fear the scale of the disaster could become even greater in the coming days.