Venezuela earthquake death toll rises to 929 as 51,000 remain missing

The death toll in Venezuela has reached 929 while 51,000 remain missing after two powerful earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 struck the South American country on Wednesday (June 24), leaving rescue workers racing against time as survivors search through mountains of rubble for trapped relatives.

With the critical 48-to-72-hour rescue window closing, authorities have tightened access to La Guaira, the epicentre of the disaster, requiring official permits to enter after heavy traffic and crowds began disrupting search operations.

Aid agencies warned that chances of finding survivors diminish rapidly after the first three days, although people can survive longer if they have access to food and water.

Families lead rescues

Residents in the worst-hit areas say they have been forced to carry out rescue efforts themselves because of a shortage of government teams. Families armed with hammers and power tools worked through collapsed buildings, hoping to hear signs of life beneath the debris.

Also Read: Venezuela twin quakes: La Guaira worst hit as death toll climbs to 589

In La Guaira, Nazareth Jimenez waited anxiously as neighbours searched for her siblings, nieces, nephews and friends trapped inside a flattened apartment block.

"We're making a call for help to the government and countries across the world," she said, pleading for heavy machinery to lift the concrete slabs. "There are still people alive in there,” she added.

Aid begins arriving

Authorities said more than 3,300 people have been injured and 243 rescued so far. The International Organization for Migration estimates up to 6.76 million people could be affected by the disaster.

Also Read: Venezuela earthquakes: 235 people dead, 4,300 injured, says Health Minister

Acting President Delcy Rodríguez said international rescue teams and humanitarian aid had begun arriving, with 861 volunteers from countries including Mexico, the US, Colombia, El Salvador and Switzerland joining search efforts. She said La Guaira had been militarized and pledged a full government response.

Homelessness grows

Beyond the rescue effort, the earthquakes have left thousands homeless. Families are sleeping in parks, plazas, parking lots and along highways, unwilling to return to damaged buildings for fear of further collapses. Hospitals are overwhelmed, while schools are expected to serve as temporary shelters.

Also Read: Twin 7+ magnitude quakes rock Venezuela; buildings collapse in Caracas

Engineers warned that more than half of Caracas was built before modern seismic construction standards were introduced in 1982, making many buildings especially vulnerable.

They said inspections and reconstruction would take weeks, but stressed that saving lives remains the immediate priority.

(With agency inputs)