Death Toll in Venezuela Earthquakes Rises to Nearly 3,000 Amid Rescue Challenges

The death toll from the recent powerful earthquakes in Venezuela has risen to 2,954, though the actual number is believed to be significantly higher due to the severe condition of the bodies and difficulties in identification. On the previous Wednesday, two major earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 on the Richter scale struck Venezuela, followed by 20 aftershocks. These quakes caused widespread destruction, including building collapses in Caracas, and were felt as far as neighboring Colombia. The US Geological Survey reported that the two main quakes occurred about a minute apart at different epicenters roughly 45 kilometers apart and at varying depths.

In response, a large Israeli aid delegation was dispatched to Venezuela under the direction of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, coordinated by the National Security Council to streamline efforts among various agencies. Local residents have been seen wandering aimlessly, desperately trying to rescue trapped relatives from the rubble. In La Guaira, one of the hardest-hit towns, survivors could hear cries for help from beneath collapsed buildings. Resident Danny Rizo, 48, urged for military assistance to aid in rescue operations, stating he heard people trapped under the debris.

Frustration is mounting among survivors and families due to the slow pace of rescue efforts. A woman told BBC she was tearfully awaiting news about her daughter trapped under a collapsed 12-story residential building. Additionally, massive liquid releases from large tanks at a local petrochemical refinery complicated the disaster scene. Members of Caracas’s Jewish community described terrifying moments during the quake, with buildings shaking violently and debris falling, as recounted by Alais Farah in an interview with N12.

Bodies remain trapped under rubble hours after the quakes, with time running out for many survivors. The situation remains critical as rescue teams work to clear paths and save those still alive beneath the destruction.