Venezuela earthquake death toll rises to 1,430 as rescue efforts intensify

Hind Al Soulia - Riyadh - LA GUAIRA, Venezuela — The death toll from Venezuela's devastating twin earthquakes climbed to 1,430 on Saturday as rescue workers and volunteers raced against time to search for survivors beneath collapsed buildings amid growing public frustration over the government's response.

Authorities said at least 68,900 people remain missing three days after consecutive magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 earthquakes struck the country, with La Guaira state among the hardest-hit areas. Aid agencies say the first 48 to 72 hours following a major earthquake are critical for rescuing survivors trapped beneath rubble.

People wait outside a building damaged by the earthquakes in Caracas, Venezuela. — EPA

Residents, joined by newly arrived international rescue teams, continued digging through collapsed buildings using heavy machinery, ropes, shovels, and their bare hands in a desperate search for survivors. Venezuelan officials said 17 aircraft carrying more than 1,600 rescue personnel had arrived in the country to support emergency operations.

Growing anger over what many described as an inadequate government response led to confrontations at some disaster sites. Survivors accused authorities of arriving only to take photographs while failing to assist in rescue operations, with some residents blocking heavy equipment from leaving before search efforts were completed.

Acting President Delcy Rodríguez said more than 14,000 military personnel and police officers had been deployed across the disaster zone, where access has been restricted and special permits are now required. However, many residents said government assistance had been limited despite the scale of the devastation.

Rescue workers conduct a search-and-rescue operation in a building damaged by the earthquakes in Caracas, Venezuela. — EPA

The International Organization for Migration estimated that more than 6 million people could be affected by the disaster, including around 2 million in the capital, Caracas. Rescue teams from Mexico, the United States, Brazil, El Salvador, France, and other countries continued arriving to assist search and recovery operations.

Emergency crews reported several rescues as hopes of finding more survivors persisted. Among them was an 18-day-old baby pulled alive from the rubble after an extensive search, while Salvadoran rescue teams also rescued a 69-year-old woman trapped beneath a collapsed building.

Experts said the catastrophic destruction was compounded by the shallow depth and rapid succession of the two powerful earthquakes. Aftershocks continued to shake affected areas on Saturday, including a magnitude 4.8 tremor, further complicating rescue operations.

Simón Bolívar International Airport, which serves Caracas, sustained heavy damage, although one runway has resumed limited operations as international teams work to restore the facility. US officials said a Navy transport ship remains stationed offshore to receive critically injured survivors requiring advanced medical treatment.