Rescue workers in Venezuela are continuing efforts to find survivors following two powerful earthquakes that struck the country last Wednesday, leaving nearly 1,500 people dead. The coastal state of La Guaira, located about 40 kilometers north of Caracas, suffered the most severe damage, with hundreds of buildings reduced to rubble. Interim President Delcy Rodríguez announced a presidential commission to oversee rescue and recovery operations, confirming that schools will remain closed for another week and that 75 percent of electricity in La Guaira has been restored.

According to National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez, 3,150 people have been injured, 12,721 displaced, and 774 buildings collapsed. More than 2,600 foreign rescuers have joined local teams, though many volunteers have complained about limited equipment and restricted access. The U.S. Geological Survey estimated that the quakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude, could ultimately claim over 10,000 lives, potentially making them among Latin America’s deadliest in a century.

Foreign rescue teams from the United States, Colombia, and Mexico have saved several children from the debris, while aftershocks continue to hamper operations and heighten fear among residents.