CARACAS — The death toll from powerful earthquakes that struck Venezuela has surpassed 500, with rescue teams continuing to search through rubble for survivors, officials said on Saturday.
Two major earthquakes hit northern Venezuela on Wednesday evening, June 24, causing widespread destruction in and around the capital Caracas and other areas. The U.S. Geological Survey reported a magnitude 7.2 quake followed seconds later by a 7.5 mainshock, the strongest in the country in more than a century.
Venezuelan authorities have reported rising casualties as search efforts proceed. The health minister and other officials have provided updated figures on deaths and injuries, though the full extent of the toll remains uncertain amid reports of thousands missing.
Rescue teams, including volunteers and emergency services, have been working around the clock in affected regions such as La Guaira and areas near San Felipe in Yaracuy state, where the epicenters were located. Buildings collapsed, trapping people under debris, while aftershocks have continued to complicate operations.
"Rescue efforts continue across Venezuela... with hundreds remain trapped under rubble," a Reuters report from the field noted on Friday, highlighting the scale of the challenge.
The quakes struck during a national holiday period, potentially increasing the number of people in vulnerable locations. Damage has been reported to infrastructure, including parts of Simón Bolívar International Airport, and hundreds of buildings in populated areas.
Oil infrastructure appeared largely unaffected, according to initial assessments. International offers of assistance have been noted, though details on coordinated aid efforts were not immediately specified by Venezuelan authorities.
As of the latest updates, the confirmed death toll has climbed past 500, with thousands injured and a large number of people still unaccounted for, according to a combination of government statements and media reports. The United States Geological Survey's PAGER system had earlier indicated a significant risk of higher casualties.
Search and rescue operations were ongoing Saturday, with officials urging caution due to the risk of further aftershocks. Details on the precise number of missing persons and the scope of destruction in more remote areas remain unclear.
The government has declared a state of emergency in the hardest-hit zones. No further immediate updates on international casualty verification were available.
