Venezuela: Search for survivors in La Guaira continues – death toll over 1,700

La Guaira – 30.06.2026: In the coastal province of La Guaira, rescue workers, soldiers and volunteer helpers continue the search for survivors – five days after two strong earthquakes that shook northern Venezuela on June 24. Particularly affected are Caraballeda, Catia La Mar and Macuto, where teams are working in shifts through layers of rubble. Aftershocks and unstable buildings make many sections only intermittently accessible; parts of the power and telephone networks remain down.

Reported damage figures differ by source. Several international organizations and media report more than 1,700 dead and around 5,000 injured. In addition there are tens of thousands of missing-person reports; the United Nations, based on initial situation assessments, speaks of very high numbers of unreported cases because entire neighborhoods were cut off from the outside world. Figures are being updated continuously as new areas are reached and registered.

The Pan American Health Organization warns that the regional health system is operating at its limit. Clinics and emergency departments are treating numerous polytrauma cases, fractures and crush injuries; in many places intensive care beds, anesthetics, sterile consumables and blood supplies are lacking. Mobile teams and field clinics are being set up to close the gaps. Cold storage capacity is also being requested for identification and the dignified recovery of the dead.

According to rescue sources, international search and recovery teams from more than 20 countries are deployed or on their way. The government has declared a state of emergency, prioritized access to the most affected zones and activated a coordination cell with the United Nations. Nevertheless, local helpers report shortages of protective clothing, clean water, fuel and non-perishable food. Temporary shelters in schools, sports halls and churches are overcrowded; sanitary facilities are often insufficient.

Individual rescues are being reported from several locations, offering hope even days after the quake. At the same time the scale of the destruction is becoming clearer: residential blocks and hillside developments are at risk of collapse, roads, bridges and port facilities show cracks and subsidence. Experts point out that many buildings do not meet current earthquake standards, which has increased the number of severe damages.

In the short term, aid is concentrating on searching for those buried, acute emergency medicine and the care of displaced people. In the medium term priorities include drinking water treatment, epidemic prevention and psychosocial support. For reconstruction, preliminary assessments indicate that extensive inspections of the building stock, secured accommodations and reliable transport routes will be necessary. The situation remains tense; crucial now are safe working windows for rescues and the rapid influx of material and personnel.