Following the severe double earthquake in Venezuela on Wednesday, the death toll has risen to over 1,400. According to official reports released Saturday, more than 50,000 people remain missing.
International rescue teams are actively supporting the search for survivors, though this effort is being severely hampered by damaged infrastructure and difficult conditions. The coastal state of La Guaira, near the capital Caracas, has been particularly devastated. The two seismic events, registering magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, caused numerous residential buildings to collapse within a short period on Wednesday evening. Currently, more than 14,000 emergency personnel are involved in coordinating search and rescue operations, medical aid, and security measures. The German Bundeswehr was also deployed on Friday, arriving in South America with several transport vehicles and several search-and-rescue dogs accompanying humanitarian aid.
The United Nations has described the rescue efforts as “extremely complex.” A UN humanitarian coordinator warned that the death toll could rise significantly. Aftershocks and buildings in precarious condition further complicate the recovery work, and the chances of finding survivors now are considered extremely low; many teams have shifted their focus to recovering the deceased.
Meanwhile, families and volunteers are reporting considerable delays in government assistance. In numerous affected neighborhoods, residents are attempting to rescue those trapped using only bare hands or simple tools because heavy excavation machinery is unavailable.
Criticism of the government is also mounting in the capital, Caracas. During a visit to a destroyed district, acting President Delcy Rodriguez was loudly protested by numerous residents who argue that the crisis management response is inadequate. Nevertheless, the government highlighted some achievements, stating that power supply had been restored to approximately 60 percent of the affected areas. Rodriguez emphasized that the top priority remains the rescue of anyone who might still be under the rubble.
Intern Minister Diosdado Cabello announced the temporary restriction of access to the heavily affected La Guaira region. This measure, he stated, is intended to prevent interference with rescue efforts and to maintain epidemiological precautions.
These earthquakes are regarded as the most severe natural disaster in Venezuela in over a century. The country has already been grappling with a deep economic, political, and humanitarian crisis for several years, which has significantly weakened the healthcare system and other public services.
