LA GUAIRA, Venezuela — Rescuers raced on Friday to reach hundreds of people believed trapped beneath collapsed buildings after twin powerful earthquakes struck northern Venezuela earlier this week, as the official death toll rose above 900 in one of the country's deadliest natural disasters in decades. Venezuelan authorities said at least 920 people had been killed and about 3,360 injured after the magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 earthquakes hit on Wednesday evening, devastating parts of La Guaira state, Caracas and nearby communities.
The rescue effort has entered a critical phase as emergency workers, volunteers and international teams search damaged neighborhoods for survivors. Authorities said 172 people remained trapped beneath collapsed structures, while more than 50,000 people had been reported missing through official reporting systems, although officials have not confirmed how many of those reports represent people still unaccounted for.
Emergency crews continued clearing debris with heavy machinery where available, while residents in some of the worst-hit areas dug through rubble by hand because of shortages of equipment. Foreign rescue teams and humanitarian assistance began arriving late Thursday and Friday as the government expanded relief operations.
Acting President Delcy Rodríguez welcomed international assistance and said the government was coordinating rescue operations and emergency aid. According to Venezuelan authorities, emergency shelters, medical services and food distribution were being expanded for displaced residents as aftershocks continued to affect the disaster zone.
The earthquakes also damaged roads, residential buildings and public infrastructure across northern Venezuela, complicating access for rescue teams. Authorities said additional aftershocks, including one measuring about magnitude 4.9 on Friday, prompted continued safety inspections and temporary evacuations in some locations.
International assistance has begun arriving from several countries. The United States announced humanitarian support and deployed rescue resources, while additional teams from countries including El Salvador, Mexico and Switzerland joined search operations, according to official statements. The United Nations said millions of people had been affected by the disaster and warned that humanitarian needs were expected to remain substantial in the coming days.
Authorities said rescue operations would continue around the clock as crews searched collapsed buildings for additional survivors. The government said the confirmed death toll and casualty figures could change as emergency teams gain access to more affected areas and complete damage assessments.
