Venezuela Earthquake: Thousands Missing, Death Toll Expected to Rise

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Venezuela earthquake latest: Thousands missing and fears death toll will soar as rescuers search for survivors

Emergency workers continue to search through rubble for survivors as the number of reported missing people increases

At least 180 people have died and about 40,000 people are missing following powerful back-to-back earthquakes that struck Venezuela on Wednesday.

Rescuers continue to search among huge mounds of rubble after two earthquakes of magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 struck within 39 seconds of each other west of Caracas on Wednesday afternoon.

Venezuelans have described the scene in the country as “like a horror movie”, as emergency workers scrambled through the damage while dazed survivors were rushed away on stretchers.

Meanwhile, families are desperately seeking help for their loved ones who are feared trapped.

"We had to climb over the rubble and everything,” said Maria Alejandra. “The building superintendent with the baby and all the neighbors coming down. But from that building, I only saw that one family got out."

Interim president Delcy Rodriguez declared a state of emergency after the earthquakes caused building collapses in Caracas and forced the closure of the country’s main international airport.

The US Geological Survey said there was a 44 per cent probability that fatalities could exceed 10,000.

Venezuelan lawmaker emphasizes importance of rescue efforts

Jorge Rodríguez, the president of Venezuela’s National Assembly, has emphasized the importance of rescue efforts following the two devastating earthquakes.

"This is the time to rescue people and attend to those under the rubble”, he said, per the country’s Ministry of Communication and Information.

Rachel Dobkin26 June 2026 01:45

Venezuelan leader shares photos of Dominican Republic first responders deployment

Acting president of Venezuela, Delcy Rodríguez, has shared photos of first responders from the Dominican Republic deploying to her country to help in the aftermath of the earthquakes.

Rachel Dobkin26 June 2026 01:15

US deploying emergency response teams in Venezuela

The US State Department has announced it will deploy a regional Disaster Assistance Response Team and urban search-and-rescue teams to help Venezuelans following the deadly earthquakes.

Rachel Dobkin26 June 2026 00:45

Delcy Rodríguez convenes a 'National Ecumenical Prayer' in earthquake aftermath

Acting president Delcy Rodríguez has convened a “National Ecumenical Prayer” as Venezuela reels from two devastating earthquakes.

Rodríguez “made a call for spiritual unity and solidarity among all Venezuelans,” the country’s Ministry of Communication and Information announced on social media.

Rachel Dobkin26 June 2026 00:15

Pictured: Damaged buildings and streets following earthquake

Rebecca Whittaker25 June 2026 23:45

Army and heavy machinery to be deployed to worst hit areas

The Venezuelan government has deployed the army and sent heavy machinery to the worst hit areas to help remove large amounts of debris.

Acting President Delcy Rodríguez met with the army's general staff to coordinate urgent relief measures for La Guaira state.

In addition to removing rubble, the army is set to organise support logistics for water, food, blankets, and mattresses, as many people have lost their homes.

Rebecca Whittaker25 June 2026 23:15

What to know about earthquake early warning systems

As earthquakes struck from California to Venezuela to Japan, millions of people received warnings on their mobile phones, providing critical seconds to seek protection.

Venezuela was struck with a pair of deadly earthquakes Wednesday evening and Thursday morning that brought significant shaking to the northern coast of Japan. Earlier in the week residents in the U.S. state of California experienced a moderate earthquake, and at the start of June, 37 people in the Philippines died in a quake near Mindanao.

Many nations have developed systems for alerting people seconds before shaking begins, and even in countries like Venezuela that do not have such systems, Google Android Earthquake Alerts can send important warnings.

Read more here:

What to know about earthquake early warning systems

Many countries have systems to alert people seconds before shaking begins in an earthquake

Rebecca Whittaker25 June 2026 22:45

Deadliest earthquakes in Latin America revealed after Venezuela ‘doublet’

Venezuela was struck by rare, deadly back-to-back earthquakes on Wednesday, leaving hundreds dead or injured.

Rescuers are combing the rubble, searching for tens of thousands of people who have been reported missing after the disaster.

Here are some of the deadliest earthquakes in South and Central America in the past century...

Deadliest earthquakes in Latin America revealed after Venezuela ‘doublet’

The two powerful earthquakes that struck Venezuela’s northern coast, killing more than 180 people, were an event known as a ‘doublet’

Rebecca Whittaker25 June 2026 22:15

Venezuelans in the US rush to send aid to earthquake victims

Venezuelans in the US are rushing to organize donation drives following the devastating earthquakes that officials say killed at least 188 people.

Oscar Torres and thousands of others have been posting messages to a WhatsApp group that connects people in Venezuela with their families.

He lives in Doral, Florida, a city outside Miami that's home to the largest Venezuelan population in the US.

"Already this morning, I was looking at the group in Doral and everybody's pitching in — money, medicine, water. First, necessity items," said Torres, a sales manager who moved to the US from Venezuela in 1995.

"They're talking about making the first shipment ASAP."

Rebecca Whittaker25 June 2026 21:45

More than 40,000 people missing following earthquake

The number of people reported missing has risen to more than 40,000 with 188 people dead.

According to a website set up for Venezuelans to report missing loved ones following the earthquake, 41,621 people are currently missing.

It also says more than 4,000 people have been located after being reported missing.

Rebecca Whittaker25 June 2026 21:26