Rescuers and volunteers search for survivors in La Guaira, La Guaira state, Venezuela, on June 28, 2026, after twin earthquakes. — AFP
– Thousands are still missing in affected areas.
– Rescue workers pulled 33 people from collapsed buildings.
– International aid, including supplies, rescue dogs, and personnel, is arriving.
A man and his teenage son were discovered alive Sunday beneath the rubble in Venezuela, four days after the twin earthquakes struck. The death toll has risen to 1,450, and hopes for additional rescues are fading.
French and American rescue teams carried the father and son on stretchers down from a mountain of debris in the devastated coastal town of Caraballeda, approximately 25 miles north of Caracas. Both appeared exhausted and in shock.
Many still listed as missing, with the country already suffering a severe economic crisis and political uncertainty following the January capture of former President Nicolas Maduro by U.S. forces. The earthquake has left millions without basic necessities like sanitation.
Teams from the U.S., Mexico, and other countries are working desperately to save lives, while residents manually dig through the rubble of collapsed apartments. Nearly 775 buildings have been severely damaged, including 189 that have completely collapsed, according to National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez.
In La Guaira, one of the most affected areas, Hector Aguilera searched for four family members trapped in the debris. He managed to rescue two other relatives but said, “We don’t have the support to get our family out — we can’t do it alone. They are buried. We know they’re dead, but here we are.”
Experts note that the critical 72-hour window for finding survivors has passed, and rescue efforts are now focusing on recovering bodies.
In Caracas’s San Bernardino neighborhood, volunteers worked over a collapsed building, breaking up concrete with drills and removing rubble by hand. In Chacao, large electronic screens displayed images of missing people in hopes of aid.
Rodriguez confirmed 1,450 deaths — a number likely to increase — and reported 3,150 injuries.
Interim President Delcy Rodriguez called on the public to remain hopeful, citing the rescue of an 11-year-old boy in Caraballeda as a sign of potential hope amid despair. She also thanked international partners for their aid.
Twenty-four countries have contributed more than 500 tons of supplies, along with rescue dogs and thousands of personnel. The U.S. has dispatched a 250-member disaster response team, and some airport operations have been partially restored to receive aid.
The United Nations predicts that up to 6.76 million people could be affected, needing shelter, clean water, healthcare, and basic supplies. The earthquake’s destruction has compounded Venezuela’s decade-long economic collapse, which has devastated hospitals and public services, leading millions to flee.
Physical damages amount to approximately $6.7 billion, about 6% of the country’s GDP. The government has restricted access to La Guaira, deploying troops and mandating volunteer passes, which has led to frustrations among volunteers eager to help.
Amid the chaos, delays and bureaucratic hurdles have sparked anger, with some volunteers expressing frustration over restrictive permits to provide aid.