The death toll from two back-to-back earthquakes in Venezuela has risen to around 235, Health Minister Carlos Alvarado said in an interview with state television on Thursday. Follow our liveblog for the latest updates.
Website shows more than 46,000 people unaccounted for
The US Geological Survey’s predictive modeling indicated the death toll was likely to rise into the thousands, with a substantial probability of exceeding 10,000.
A website created to track missing people and shared by opposition leaders listed more than 46,000 people as unaccounted for shortly after 7 p.m. (2300 GMT).
World sends rescuers, aid as Venezuela reels from quakes
United Nations-certified rescuers will help search for quake survivors, interim president Delcy Rodriguez said in a televised message.
Spain and France were sending dozens of specialists, and Germany promised six military transport planes.
Switzerland mobilized 80 personnel, eight rescue dogs and 18 tonnes of equipment to be sent to Venezuela as soon as possible.
Dutch Foreign Trade Minister Sjoerd Sjoerdsma announced a two-million-euro aid package to deploy a search-and-rescue team, while the Czech Republic said its team was preparing to fly in.
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) said it had released $2.5 million to support recovery efforts.
Pope Leo XIV sent “initial” emergency aid of 100,000 euros ($114,000) to Venezuela, the Vatican announced.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva announced the dispatch of a field hospital to Venezuela, as well as 36 firefighters and several rescue and communications specialists via two flights on Friday and Saturday.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said her country was dispatching a military team of rescuers and medical personnel to Venezuela and would send further assistance if necessary.
El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele said he had readied 300 rescuers and paramedics and 50 tons of equipment, medicines and basic supplies.
Death toll from Venezuela earthquakes rises to around 235, health minister says
Desperate Venezuelans raced Thursday to find and rescue loved ones trapped alive beneath the rubble of collapsed buildings after two major earthquakes that killed at least 235 people.
Buildings cracked, crumbled, and tilted precariously after the quakes, which the United States Geological Survey measured at magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5, hit northern Venezuela within less than a minute of each other on Wednesday night.
Powerful aftershocks could still be felt Thursday, and Health Minister Carlos Alvarado reported the death toll had risen from 188 to at least 235.
More than 1,500 people were injured as the earth shook and roared in what many Venezuelans called a terrifying display of nature’s raw power.
Rescue efforts moved slowly, with bodies still visible under debris hours after the quakes, while time ran out for some of those who were trapped and injured.
US says sending military ships, planes to provide aid to Venezuela
The United States is deploying two warships as well as transport planes and helicopters to provide logistical support for operations to assist earthquake-hit Venezuela, the US military said on Thursday.
“These forces will provide specialized mobility services and support to US government personnel, search and rescue teams, and US interagency partners as they assess damage, locate the injured, and deliver critical, life-saving assistance,” US Southern Command said in a post on X.
