Venezuela Earthquakes Death Toll Rises to 235 as Rescue Efforts Continue

The death toll from the twin earthquakes that struck northern Venezuela has risen to at least 235, as rescue workers continued Friday to wage a precarious race against time to pull survivors from the rubble.

The United States Geological Survey recorded consecutive tremors on Wednesday night with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5.

Health Minister Carlos Alvarado reported that approximately 4,300 people have been injured across the affected regions.

Strained Rescue Operations

Rescue efforts are proceeding slowly due to a severe shortage of trained personnel and significant technical limitations.

The relief operations face a major logistical bottleneck following the closure of the main international airport in La Guaira, which sustained serious structural damage.

The shutdown threatens to complicate the arrival of foreign assistance.

International Aid Mobilization

The disaster has triggered a coordinated international response to support the ongoing rescue initiatives.

The U.S. government announced a whole-of-government response, mobilizing $150 million in aid and deploying two warships, transport aircraft, and helicopters.

Other nations, including Switzerland, Spain, France, Portugal, and Mexico, are dispatching specialist rescue teams to the country.

Offers of assistance have also been extended by China, India, Brazil, Iran, and the United Nations.

Rising Casualties and Impact

The double tremor represents the most powerful seismic event to strike Venezuela since 1900.

The confirmed fatalities include several foreign nationals, with citizens from Brazil, China, Italy, and Portugal among the dead.

In the capital city of Caracas, widespread panic forced many residents to spend the night sleeping in vehicles and on the streets.

Local medical facilities, including the Domingo Luciani Hospital, are treating unaccompanied children extracted from the debris as search efforts continue.