Venezuela is facing a deepening humanitarian crisis after the death toll from two devastating earthquakes surged to 589, with nearly 3,000 people injured, as rescue teams from around the world joined desperate efforts to locate survivors trapped beneath collapsed buildings.
Acting President Delcy Rodríguez confirmed the updated figures on Friday, stating that at least 2,980 people have been injured following the powerful earthquakes that struck the country late Wednesday night.
Emergency crews continued overnight search operations through heavily damaged residential buildings, commercial areas, and critical infrastructure, amid fears that the number of casualties could rise further as rescue teams gain access to isolated locations.
International humanitarian support has intensified rapidly, with specialized rescue units arriving from several countries. Among the foreign teams assisting operations are 80 Swiss rescue personnel and emergency aid workers from Mexico, who have joined Venezuelan authorities in the search-and-rescue mission.
Scenes of devastation have emerged across affected regions, where families continue searching for missing loved ones while hospitals struggle to cope with the growing number of injured victims.
In one dramatic rescue operation, emergency workers succeeded in pulling a woman alive from the rubble of a collapsed structure after hours of searching, raising hopes that more survivors may still be trapped beneath debris.
Many residents remain desperate for information about missing relatives. Marianella, a resident searching for her brother, told BBC News Mundo that despite the uncertainty, she still believes he survived. “My heart tells me my brother is alive,” she said.
Medical services in the worst-hit areas are now under severe strain. A doctor in La Guaira told international media that the state’s two main hospitals are “completely overwhelmed,” warning of a critical shortage of medicines, medical equipment, and emergency supplies.
Authorities have warned that damaged roads, disrupted communications, and unstable structures are complicating rescue operations, while aftershocks continue to pose risks for both survivors and emergency personnel.
The disaster has prompted an outpouring of international solidarity, with governments and humanitarian organizations pledging assistance and emergency support as Venezuela confronts one of the deadliest natural disasters in its modern history.
Analysts warn that the earthquakes could place additional pressure on Venezuela’s already fragile infrastructure and healthcare system, increasing the likelihood of a prolonged humanitarian and economic crisis in the months ahead.
As rescue workers continue their race against time, hopes remain that more survivors can still be found beneath the rubble, even as the scale of the tragedy continues to unfold.
