Rescue Teams Race to Venezuela as Twin Earthquakes Leave at least 235 Dead

International rescue teams are rushing to Venezuela’s northern coast after two massive earthquakes struck late Wednesday, leaving at least 235 people dead and over 4,300 injured. With thousands more feared trapped under rubble, the United Nations and several other countries are mobilizing urgent emergency assistance.

The 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude quakes hit less than 40 seconds apart, devastating the capital, Caracas and the neighboring coastal state of La Guaira. Acting President Delcy Rodríguez has declared La Guaira a disaster zone, calling it the "ground zero" of the crisis after dozens of buildings including high-rise apartments and hotels collapsed. The capital's main gateway, Simón Bolívar International Airport, also suffered severe damage, complicating aid delivery.

As the critical 72-hour rescue window narrows, local volunteers have been digging through debris with their bare hands while waiting for heavy machinery. Power and water remain scarce across the affected regions.

This disaster strikes a country already weakened by severe economic instability. However, the international community has quickly united in response. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the deployment of search and rescue teams, while the US Treasury temporarily eased sanctions to facilitate immediate humanitarian aid. France, Brazil and the UN are also sending specialized rescue units. Additionally, SpaceX’s Starlink is providing free satellite internet to help restore vital communications in the hardest-hit zones.

While the official fatality count currently stands at 235, the U.S. Geological Survey warns that the death toll could rise into the thousands, with local tracking systems listing tens of thousands of residents still unaccounted for.