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By Aurax Radio | June 27, 2026 | 2 min read
Rescue teams are racing to find survivors after twin earthquakes devastated northern Venezuela, leaving hundreds dead and thousands missing. International aid and foreign rescue crews have begun arriving as authorities confront one of the country's worst natural disasters in decades.
A distraught resident sits amid the smoke and devastation left by the earthquakes that struck northern Venezuela on June 24.
CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Search-and-rescue operations intensified Saturday across northern Venezuela as emergency crews and volunteers worked through collapsed buildings in a narrowing effort to locate survivors trapped beneath rubble. Authorities said more than 900 people have been confirmed dead, thousands have been injured and tens of thousands remain unaccounted for after twin earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 struck west of Caracas on June 24. The quakes caused widespread destruction in the capital, the coastal state of La Guaira and surrounding communities, flattening homes, damaging infrastructure and leaving many residents without shelter.
Foreign rescue teams from across the Americas and Europe joined local emergency workers as aid supplies began reaching some of the hardest-hit areas. Officials said hundreds of people have been rescued since the disaster, but concerns are growing as the critical window for finding survivors narrows. Roads damaged by the earthquakes, heavy debris and communication disruptions have complicated relief efforts, while hospitals continue treating large numbers of injured residents. A magnitude 4.9 aftershock was also felt along Venezuela's northern coast, adding to fears among displaced families.
The disaster has become a major test for Venezuela's government and emergency response system at a time when the country continues to face economic and infrastructure challenges. International assistance from the United States, United Nations agencies and several Latin American and European countries has expanded in recent days as authorities work to restore essential services and provide humanitarian support. With many people still missing and entire neighborhoods reduced to rubble, officials warned that casualty figures could continue to rise as search operations proceed.
Sources: Information compiled from reporting by The Associated Press, Reuters, CNN, BBC News and The Washington Post.