Families calling out to loved ones trapped in rubble by Venezuela quakes
Bare hands and shovels shift through the rubble, while a drone scans overhead. Every moment, every action matters. It is a race against time to find survivors.
Here in the coastal state of La Guaira, which borders the capital district containing nearby Caracas, catastrophic damage is seen almost everywhere you look. The state has been one of the hardest-hit areas after back-to-back earthquakes struck Venezuela on Wednesday.
Residents and families are desperately searching the rubble for their loved ones and belongings. They are listening carefully for any sound that might indicate someone is alive trapped under the concrete and metal wire debris.
So far, officials have confirmed at least 1,430 deaths from the magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5 earthquakes - the latter being one of the strongest quakes recorded in the country in the last century.
Hundreds of buildings collapsed and beneath the rubble, thousands of Venezuelans remain. The number of dead and injured rises by the hour. The UN estimates around 50,000 people are missing.
National rescue teams are scarce, although international rescuers from Mexico, Spain, the US and the UK have arrived to join the rescue effort.
But, it is still not enough.
Traffic and crowds can sometimes hinder the search operations. Soldiers and Mexican volunteers have repeatedly called for silence, so they can listen for signs of life under the debris.
People are helping however they can. Those who have drones are using them to search for survivors or the deceased in hard-to-reach places.
Families huddle around drone video feeds searching for anything familiar. A piece of clothing, a strand of hair, a belonging. Anything that might bring news of a loved one.
As time passes, the unofficial death toll rises - and so do the consequences.
"There's a smell… the dead are already being felt. That's going to make us and the children sick," says Glendys Delgado.
Two buildings near where Delgado lives are collapsed, but there has been no official help, she says. "No one from the government has come here, but I thank God that people from Caracas have come to support us with food."
Deiyer Gabril, 27, says every area has been affected, "Macuto, Caribe… everything over there is bad. And we can all feel the odour."
Authorities reported on Friday that 861 volunteers from Mexico, the US, El Salvador, Switzerland, Colombia, and other countries were in Venezuela, with more arriving.
Interim President Rodríguez said she spoke with US President Donald Trump and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday, and that they reaffirmed their commitment to send rescue teams and aid supplies.
The four of them are now sleeping in their vehicle in a car park at the Simón Bolívar International Airport in Maiquetía. The airport is closed due to damage, but offers a flat, open place away from buildings where the family can take shelter.
She waits outside their damaged building. Her husband is attempting to make it to their fifteenth‑floor flat. The building is unstable, but he is trying to retrieve some belongings and documents. "The essentials," she says, since it's dangerous and they cannot risk trying to recover too much.
"It's painful to be left with nothing. My mother lost her home, we lost our home, we have nothing. You try to stay strong for your children," she says.
And she adds something many feel: "Everyone says what matters is that you're alive - and yes, but everything you're going through hurts: seeing people suffer, hearing people scream, seeing children trapped, and the helplessness of not being able to do anything because you have to stay and look after your own children.
"You try to be strong, but it hurts."
Read the full story at BBC ↗
Venezuela experienced two major earthquakes on Wednesday. The second, measuring 7.5, ranks among the strongest in the country's recent history. The official death toll has reached at least 1,430, with hundreds of buildings destroyed primarily in the coastal state of La Guaira near Caracas. The UN estimates approximately 50,000 people remain missing. Search and rescue operations involve family members working with shovels and basic equipment alongside international teams from Mexico, Spain, the US, UK, and other nations. Rescue efforts face practical constraints: crowds and traffic can impede operations, and time is critical for survivor location. As rescue work continues, residents are contending with sanitation concerns and unmet material needs. Some families have taken shelter at Simón Bolívar International Airport, which remains closed due to damage. Interim President Rodríguez has coordinated with US leadership to secure continued rescue support and supplies.
Read the full story at BBC ↗
Bare hands and shovels shift through the rubble, while a drone scans overhead. Every moment, every action matters. It is a race against time to find survivors.
Here in the coastal state of La Guaira, which borders the capital district containing nearby Caracas, catastrophic damage is seen almost everywhere you look. The state has been one of the hardest-hit areas after back-to-back earthquakes struck Venezuela on Wednesday.
Residents and families are desperately searching the rubble for their loved ones and belongings. They are listening carefully for any sound that might indicate someone is alive trapped under the concrete and metal wire debris.
So far, officials have confirmed at least 1,430 deaths from the magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5 earthquakes - the latter being one of the strongest quakes recorded in the country in the last century.
Hundreds of buildings collapsed and beneath the rubble, thousands of Venezuelans remain. The number of dead and injured rises by the hour. The UN estimates around 50,000 people are missing.
National rescue teams are scarce, although international rescuers from Mexico, Spain, the US and the UK have arrived to join the rescue effort.
But, it is still not enough.
Traffic and crowds can sometimes hinder the search operations. Soldiers and Mexican volunteers have repeatedly called for silence, so they can listen for signs of life under the debris.
People are helping however they can. Those who have drones are using them to search for survivors or the deceased in hard-to-reach places.
Families huddle around drone video feeds searching for anything familiar. A piece of clothing, a strand of hair, a belonging. Anything that might bring news of a loved one.
As time passes, the unofficial death toll rises - and so do the consequences.
"There's a smell… the dead are already being felt. That's going to make us and the children sick," says Glendys Delgado.
Two buildings near where Delgado lives are collapsed, but there has been no official help, she says. "No one from the government has come here, but I thank God that people from Caracas have come to support us with food."
Deiyer Gabril, 27, says every area has been affected, "Macuto, Caribe… everything over there is bad. And we can all feel the odour."
Authorities reported on Friday that 861 volunteers from Mexico, the US, El Salvador, Switzerland, Colombia, and other countries were in Venezuela, with more arriving.
Interim President Rodríguez said she spoke with US President Donald Trump and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday, and that they reaffirmed their commitment to send rescue teams and aid supplies.
The four of them are now sleeping in their vehicle in a car park at the Simón Bolívar International Airport in Maiquetía. The airport is closed due to damage, but offers a flat, open place away from buildings where the family can take shelter.
She waits outside their damaged building. Her husband is attempting to make it to their fifteenth‑floor flat. The building is unstable, but he is trying to retrieve some belongings and documents. "The essentials," she says, since it's dangerous and they cannot risk trying to recover too much.
"It's painful to be left with nothing. My mother lost her home, we lost our home, we have nothing. You try to stay strong for your children," she says.
And she adds something many feel: "Everyone says what matters is that you're alive - and yes, but everything you're going through hurts: seeing people suffer, hearing people scream, seeing children trapped, and the helplessness of not being able to do anything because you have to stay and look after your own children.
"You try to be strong, but it hurts."
Read the full story at BBC ↗
Back-to-back earthquakes struck Venezuela on Wednesday, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude, with the latter being one of the strongest recorded in the country in the last century At least 1,430 deaths have been officially confirmed Hundreds of buildings collapsed across the region The UN estimates around 50,000 people are missing International rescue teams from Mexico, Spain, the US, UK, El Salvador, Switzerland, and Colombia are participating in recovery operations, with 861 volunteers reported as of Friday Families are searching rubble using bare hands, shovels, and drones to locate survivors and deceased loved ones Rescue operations are sometimes hindered by traffic and crowds, requiring rescuers to call for silence to listen for signs of life Residents report sanitation issues and deteriorating conditions as time passes since the earthquakes Some affected residents report a lack of government assistance in their areas, though support from other citizens and organizations has arrived Interim President Rodríguez coordinated with US President Trump and Secretary of State Rubio on Friday, with both sides reaffirming commitment to send rescue teams and aid supplies The earthquake response is insufficient given the scale of need The emotional and psychological toll on survivors experiencing loss of homes and witnessing widespread suffering represents a significant humanitarian consequence
Read the full story at BBC ↗
- Back-to-back earthquakes of magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 struck Venezuela on Wednesday, with the latter among the strongest recorded in the country in recent decades
- At least 1,430 deaths confirmed; hundreds of buildings collapsed in coastal La Guaira and surrounding areas, with the UN estimating around 50,000 people missing
- Families are searching rubble with bare hands and basic tools while international rescue teams from multiple countries work to locate survivors
- Sanitation and supply challenges are emerging as time passes; some residents report lack of government assistance in affected areas
- Interim President Rodríguez confirmed coordination with US leadership for continued rescue operations and aid delivery