CARACAS, Venezuela: Emergency teams aided by specially trained rescue dogs continued searching across Venezuela on Monday for survivors trapped beneath collapsed buildings, as the death toll from the country’s devastating twin earthquakes climbed above 1,450 and hopes of finding more people alive began to fade.
In a rare breakthrough, French and American rescue teams rescued a man and his teenage son from the rubble in the town of Caraballeda, about 40 kilometres north of Caracas, offering a glimmer of hope after the critical 72-hour rescue window had largely passed.
Current figures from Venezuela earthquakes:
– 1,430 dead
– 3,238 injured
– 68,900 people are missing, families tell Venezuelan governmentAerial footage from La Guaira: pic.twitter.com/8PWEYQC4hC
— AZ Intel (@AZ_Intel_) June 27, 2026
Authorities said nearly 200 buildings had completely collapsed, while hundreds more suffered severe structural damage following the powerful magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 earthquakes that struck on Wednesday evening.
Rescue Efforts Continue Despite Diminishing Hope
National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez said 1,450 people had been confirmed dead and more than 3,150 injured, warning that the toll was expected to rise as rescue workers reached more devastated areas.
A total of 774 buildings sustained heavy damage, including 189 that were reduced to rubble.
In the worst-hit coastal city of La Guaira, residents continued searching desperately for missing relatives.
“We don’t have the support to get our family out—we can’t do it alone. They are buried there. We know they are dead, but here we are,” said Hector Aguilera, who was searching for four family members.
“We have no hope left; all I have are memories.”
In Caracas’ San Bernardino district, volunteers climbed over collapsed buildings, drilling through concrete and removing debris by hand, while electronic billboards in Chacao displayed photographs of missing people in an effort to reunite families.
International Aid Intensifies
Interim Venezuelan President Delcy Rodriguez praised rescue teams for continuing operations despite increasingly difficult conditions.
“Today we have rescued people who are still alive, and therefore these efforts will not be suspended,” she said.
“We always hold onto hope.”
The United States expanded its relief mission by deploying helicopters, additional military personnel and disaster-response teams to help restore airport operations and reopen a key seaport for humanitarian assistance.
According to Rodriguez, 24 countries have delivered 521 tonnes of emergency supplies, deployed 86 canine search units and sent more than 2,700 rescue personnel to assist with relief operations.
Frustration Grows Among Survivors
As rescue efforts continued, frustration mounted in several affected communities where residents accused authorities of responding too slowly.
Looting was reported in parts of La Guaira, where pharmacies, supermarkets and other businesses were ransacked amid shortages of food and essential supplies.
One resident confronted soldiers, urging them to join rescue operations instead of maintaining security.
“The country needs you. Put down your weapon,” he shouted.
Rescue workers acknowledged that the chances of finding more survivors were rapidly diminishing.
“At this point, they are probably dead bodies. Thanks to God, maybe we can find people still alive,” a Salvadoran rescue worker said.
Economic Crisis Deepens Disaster
The United Nations’ migration agency estimated that as many as 6.76 million people could be affected by the disaster, requiring emergency shelter, clean water, sanitation, healthcare and other essential assistance.
The earthquakes struck as Venezuela continues to grapple with years of economic collapse that have weakened hospitals, infrastructure and public services.
The United Nations estimated physical damage at approximately $6.7 billion, equivalent to around six percent of the country’s gross domestic product.
Meanwhile, exiled opposition leader Maria Corina Machado announced that she would return to Venezuela “very soon.”
“The time has come,” she told Fox News. “We need to be together, to embrace, to grieve and mourn together, but also to give each other strength at this difficult time.”
