Venezuela Earthquakes: Death Toll Rises to 164 as Rescue Efforts Intensify

At least 164 people have been killed and 971 injured after two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela, according to acting president Delcy Rodríguez, who warned that the toll could still rise as rescue operations continue across the country. The figures represent a sharp increase from earlier reports of 32 dead and around 700 injured, as emergency teams reach areas that were initially inaccessible.

The earthquakes, measured at magnitude 7.2 and 7.5, hit within seconds of each other and are considered among the strongest to affect Venezuela in over a century. The most severe damage has been reported in La Guaira, north of Caracas, where authorities have redirected rescue teams from other regions to support ongoing operations. Rodríguez said “dozens of buildings have collapsed there … and we are currently carrying out intensive rescue operations to save lives.”

Officials confirmed widespread structural damage in both La Guaira and the capital region, with collapsed buildings, disrupted utilities, and emergency shelters set up in schools and public facilities. Some areas remain without electricity, while communication outages have complicated rescue coordination and family reunification efforts.

In response, the United States said it is launching a large-scale assistance effort. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington would provide a coordinated federal response. “So we have a whole-of-government response. It’ll be big, it’ll be fast, and it’ll be effective,” he told reporters, adding that the defense establishment would play a major logistical role in the operation.

International support has continued to grow. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan expressed solidarity with Venezuela, stating in a message that “I sincerely share the grief of those who lost their lives in the two separate earthquakes that struck Venezuela, and I extend my condolences and wishes for a speedy recovery.” He added that Türkiye stands with the Venezuelan people during what he described as a painful period, referencing the country’s own experience with devastating earthquakes in 2023.

The United Kingdom also joined the list of countries offering assistance. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said her thoughts were with those affected and confirmed that Britain is working with international partners to assess needs and coordinate a response. She urged British nationals in Venezuela to follow local guidance and consult official travel advice.

The United Nations has raised concerns over access to information in the aftermath of the disaster, calling on Venezuelan authorities to lift restrictions on online platforms. It warned that limiting access to news and communication channels during emergencies could become a matter of life and death. In a statement, UN experts stressed that “access to information will be a matter of life and death. There can be no excuse for failing to do so immediately.”

The European Union has activated its Copernicus satellite system to support damage assessment and recovery planning. EU officials said the program can help identify risks, guide preparedness efforts, and support emergency response teams on the ground. EU humanitarian representatives confirmed that partners are already operating in Venezuela and that additional assistance is ready if required.

On the ground, the humanitarian situation remains critical. In Catia La Mar, part of the heavily affected coastal zone, residents described widespread destruction and uncertainty about missing relatives. One resident, Larry Rojas, said “we have nothing, right now we have nothing, not even the strength or the courage to go in there.” He and others reported that entire buildings had collapsed, leaving families trapped under rubble as rescue teams struggle to reach all affected sites.

Germany has also offered logistical support, saying it could deploy up to six Airbus A400M military transport aircraft for evacuation and aid delivery missions once requested. German officials noted that the same aircraft had previously been used in humanitarian operations following major disasters in Turkey and Gaza.

According to the US Geological Survey, the second quake, measured at magnitude 7.5, is the strongest to strike Venezuela since 1900. The agency said the last comparable event occurred in October of that year, when a 7.7 magnitude earthquake caused extensive destruction in Caracas. Since then, only a limited number of earthquakes above magnitude 7 have been recorded in the region.

Eyewitness accounts from Caracas and surrounding areas describe scenes of panic as buildings swayed and residents rushed into the streets. One resident, Hector Ricci, said “it started off gently and then gradually grew, and in the end, we all had to leave our houses, go outside and gather together.” Others described severe shaking, collapsing structures, and prolonged periods spent outdoors amid fears of aftershocks.

Another resident, Roberto Gamas, said the building he was in “really shook from side to side. Unreal. The force was incredibly strong,” while Maria Alejandra described the aftermath as resembling “a horror movie,” adding that survivors were forced to navigate through rubble in search of safety and missing relatives.

Regional and global leaders have also issued statements of support. Spain’s prime minister Pedro Sánchez expressed full solidarity with Venezuela, while Pakistan’s prime minister Shehbaz Sharif conveyed condolences and said his country stands with those affected. Several governments across Latin America, including Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Mexico, and others, have offered assistance ranging from rescue teams to emergency supplies.

China said it is ready to provide assistance if requested, stating that it will respond according to Venezuela’s needs, while confirming no reports of Chinese casualties so far. Italy’s leadership also expressed concern and support, with officials pledging humanitarian assistance and monitoring developments closely.

Emergency operations continue across the hardest-hit regions, with authorities warning that the death toll could still increase significantly as rescue teams reach collapsed structures and remote areas. The situation remains fluid, with ongoing assessments of damage to infrastructure, transport systems, and public services across the country.