Venezuela earthquake toll hits 1,430; thousands still missing as rescue efforts continue

The death toll from the devastating earthquakes that struck Venezuela three days ago has risen to 1,430, officials confirmed on Saturday (June 27, 2026). The South American nation was hit by two powerful quakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude, leaving widespread destruction in their wake.

Rescuers continued to search for survivors amid the rubble, with families reporting at least 68,900 people missing as of Saturday morning. The United Nations, however, estimated a lower figure of around 50,000 missing, highlighting the difficulty in accounting for all affected individuals.

In La Guaira, one of the hardest-hit states, civilians used shovels, heavy equipment, ropes, and bare hands to dig through mounds of toppled concrete. Many volunteers took search efforts into their own hands, expressing frustration over what they described as an inadequate response from the Venezuelan government. Soldiers, firefighters, police, and military cadets were deployed but appeared underprepared for the scale of the disaster.

Interim leader Delcy Rodriguez, who is backed by the United States, stated that the country was “not alone” as international aid began to arrive. The United States announced that one runway at Simon Bolivar International Airport was operational, allowing C-17 military planes to land, while a naval ship had also reached the coast.

The UN humanitarian agency OCHA reported that search-and-rescue teams from at least 17 countries were being mobilised. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) assessed that up to 6.76 million people could be affected, requiring emergency shelter, safe water, sanitation, healthcare, and essential relief items.

National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez provided official figures of 1,430 dead and 3,238 injured. The UN estimated $6.7 billion in physical damage, equivalent to 6% of Venezuela’s GDP. UN aid chief Tom Fletcher warned on Friday (June 26) that the death toll could rise further, given the number of missing people.

The earthquake sequence struck on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, with the first major tremor followed by a second nearly as powerful. The epicenters were located near the coast, causing severe damage to infrastructure, including roads, hospitals, and communication networks. The Venezuelan government has declared a state of emergency, and international agencies are coordinating relief efforts.

As rescue operations continue, the focus remains on locating survivors and providing immediate humanitarian assistance. The situation remains fluid, with authorities cautioning that the final death toll may not be known for weeks.