Death Toll from Earthquake in Venezuela Rises to 188, Families Begin Posting Notices Searching for Relatives
June 26, Kathmandu – At least 188 people have been confirmed dead and over 1,500 injured following a powerful earthquake in Venezuela. Authorities fear that more than 200 individuals remain trapped under the rubble, while thousands are unaccounted for. On Wednesday evening local time at 6:04 pm (3:49 am Thursday Nepali time), two strong tremors measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude struck within 40 seconds of each other. In response to the extensive human and infrastructural damage, the government has declared a nationwide state of emergency. Airports, including those in the capital Caracas, have been closed, and road transport disrupted. Locals are facing severe shortages of electricity, drinking water, and communication services.
According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), the first quake occurred 22 kilometers west of Moron city near the Caribbean coast at a depth of 22 kilometers, followed shortly by the second, stronger earthquake at a depth of 10 kilometers. The earthquake struck on a national holiday, meaning most people were at home. The tremors were felt across the country and even reached Bogotá, Colombia’s capital, as reported by international media. Experts say the consecutive major quakes caused widespread destruction.
Officials report that the northern coastal region of Guaira, near Caracas, suffered the most severe damage. The main international airport there sustained damage leading to its closure, complicating rescue and relief efforts. A poignant scene emerged as a mother in La Guaira was seen carrying the bodies of her two children, aged three and ten, wrapped in a blanket, leaving local residents in shock. Rescue and search operations are ongoing, with some victims removing debris themselves in attempts to find loved ones. Government rescue teams are scarce outside the capital, leaving many families to scour the streets searching for relatives. Television broadcasts have been airing footage of survivors rescued from rubble and the emotional plight of families desperately seeking their missing members.
In a bid to facilitate relief, the United States has temporarily lifted certain sanctions. Acting President Delcy Rodríguez declared a state of emergency nationwide on Wednesday and announced the deployment of rescue teams. She also revealed a fund worth $200 million to support hospital and housing reconstruction, urging the private sector to contribute heavy construction equipment to aid the relief efforts.
The first foreign rescue team is expected from the Dominican Republic, with other international teams en route. Countries including the United States, Mexico, Brazil, Qatar, Spain, Portugal, and Canada have pledged to send relief supplies and rescue personnel. Preparations are underway to dispatch medical equipment, trained search dogs, water purification systems, aircraft, and drones to Venezuela from various countries.
To ease post-earthquake relief and rescue operations, the US Treasury announced a temporary relaxation of certain economic sanctions on Venezuela until October 23. This measure is intended to facilitate humanitarian transactions. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke by phone with Acting President Rodríguez, reaffirming the American government’s commitment to promptly send search and rescue teams, medical supplies, and other aid.
The closure of main airports has hindered the delivery of some relief materials, acknowledged authorities. Families have started posting notices with photos to aid in the search for missing relatives. Power and mobile services remain disrupted in parts of Caracas. Metro services have been suspended, and gas supplies halted. Schools have been closed temporarily, with some school buildings repurposed as emergency shelters and relief collection centers, according to government officials.
Meanwhile, families continue to post information with photographs seeking their missing relatives, while Venezuelans abroad struggle to establish contact with their families affected by the disaster.