Venezuela Earthquakes Death Toll Rises to 235, Says Health Ministry

The death toll from the powerful twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela has risen to 235, the country's health ministry said on Friday, as rescue teams continued searching for survivors trapped beneath collapsed buildings in the hardest-hit areas. Authorities said hundreds of people have been injured, while many remain missing as emergency workers race against time amid repeated aftershocks.

The twin quakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude, hit the country in quick succession, with the second tremor described as Venezuela's most powerful earthquake in more than a century. The disaster has left homes, schools and hospitals flattened across Caracas, the port city of La Guaira and surrounding communities.

Rescue Efforts Continue Through The Night

Search and rescue operations stretched into Thursday night, with many people still missing or trapped beneath rubble. Officials said hundreds remained unaccounted for as crews worked through collapsed buildings. What Is a Doublet Earthquake? Here’s Why Venezuela Was Hit by Twin Quakes Just 39 Seconds Apart.

According to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, more than 1,500 people were injured and around 200 remained trapped in rubble as of Thursday afternoon. The figures have been shifting hour by hour as emergency teams reach new sites.

Officials and aid groups have warned the death toll is likely to rise further. The US Geological Survey has forecast a 91 percent likelihood that the toll will eventually exceed 1,000, based on the population exposed to the worst-affected areas and the vulnerability of local housing. Venezuela Earthquake: Hotel Eduard’s Building Collapses, Twin Quakes Trigger State of Emergency (Videos).

International Aid Pours In

Foreign governments have moved quickly to offer support. The United States is deploying specialised urban search and rescue teams, though their arrival time was not yet confirmed. Two of these units are coming from Fairfax County in Virginia and Los Angeles County, both known for their experience in disaster response.

Mexico has also stepped in, with President Claudia Sheinbaum announcing the deployment of rescuers and health personnel from the country's defence ministry.

Canada has pledged an initial five million dollars in humanitarian aid. Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand said the funds would go toward trusted partners on the ground providing health, sanitation, protection and logistics support. She added that further tranches of aid could follow if a donation-matching programme is established.

Children Among The Most At Risk

The United Nations children's agency has raised alarm over the impact on young Venezuelans. UNICEF said about 3.9 million children live in areas affected by the quakes, with many families now in urgent need of assistance.

UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell said the images coming out of Venezuela and accounts from colleagues on the ground were heartbreaking, and stressed that children's safety and wellbeing must remain central to the response.

A Crisis On Top Of A Crisis

The earthquakes have struck at an already difficult moment for Venezuela. The country was already grappling with a political and financial crisis before the disaster hit.

Economic analysts have also flagged the scale of likely losses. According to Al Jazeera, initial estimates suggest the damage could cost the South American nation as much as seven percent of its GDP.

Families abroad are also feeling the strain. Venezuelans living overseas have been anxiously trying to reach relatives, with many turning to social media and dedicated platforms to track down missing loved ones amid the confusion.

With search operations ongoing and casualty figures still being updated, officials have cautioned that the full scale of the disaster may not be clear for several more days.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 26, 2026 07:20 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).