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Rescue teams continued frantic operations on Saturday as Venezuela struggled to cope with the aftermath of two devastating earthquakes that has left at least 1,430 people dead, with hopes of finding survivors rapidly fading more than 72 hours after the disaster struck.
The magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 tremors flattened entire neighbourhoods, leaving tens of thousands missing and overwhelming already fragile emergency systems in a country still grappling with economic collapse and political instability.
In La Guaira, one of the worst-hit coastal regions, survivors and volunteers clawed through unstable rubble in desperate attempts to reach those still trapped. But conditions remain chaotic.
“It’s just very chaotic, hot and unorganised,” said Australian firefighter Craig Demeillon, who flew in from Miami to assist rescue efforts. “Hopefully, there are more people to find.”
However, not all rescuers share the same optimism. A Salvadoran rescue worker, who declined to be named, said the likelihood of survival was diminishing.
“At this point, they are probably dead bodies. Thanks to God maybe we can find people still alive,” he said.
Authorities report more than 3,200 injured, while UN estimates suggest up to 6.76 million people could be affected, requiring urgent access to shelter, clean water, sanitation, and medical care. Aid agencies have warned that the death toll could continue to rise significantly.
There were rare moments of hope. In La Guaira, residents pulled a newborn alive from the rubble 32 hours after the quake, prompting emotional scenes captured on social media as a man wept while holding the infant.
Yet frustration is mounting among locals over restrictions on rescue efforts. Volunteers say they are being forced to obtain official clearance before entering disaster zones.
Amid criticism, interim leader Delcy Rodriguez acknowledged international assistance, including US disaster teams and support from 21 countries, as airports and naval routes were opened for relief operations.
With infrastructure crippled and thousands still unaccounted for, Venezuela now faces one of the most severe humanitarian crises in its modern history.
