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Venezuela earthquake death toll rises to 589, 6.76 million affected

Venezuela’s earthquake death toll reaches 589 with 50,000 missing and up to 6.76 million people affected as international rescue teams race against time.

Venezuela earthquake death toll rises to 589, 6.76 million affected
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The tragic toll from the two powerful earthquakes that struck Venezuela continues to mount, as the death toll climbs, approximately 50,000 people remain missing, and millions of citizens struggle to survive amid the rubble. According to the latest figures, up to 6.76 million people are estimated to have been affected by the natural disaster, while the number of victims has now reached 589 dead and 2,980 injured. Rescue operations continue around the clock, with international teams gradually arriving in the country, as every passing hour reduces the chances of finding survivors trapped beneath the debris.

Read: The Venezuela earthquakes explained: The rare “doublet” phenomenon and every time it has been recorded in history (Video)

Venezuela: Millions affected and critical shortages

According to the UN’s International Organization for Migration (IOM), up to 6.76 million people may have been affected by the earthquakes that struck the country — a figure that includes approximately 2 million residents of Caracas. These estimates are expected to be revised as the full scale of the disaster continues to be assessed. IOM spokesperson Zoe Brennan stressed that “buildings have collapsed and critical infrastructure has been damaged, limiting access to essential services,” emphasizing that locating and rescuing those trapped remains the top priority.

Meanwhile, UN agencies report that approximately 20 emergency hospitals have sustained serious damage across several states, further complicating medical care for the injured. The country’s government has already requested that the UN deploy three emergency medical teams with surgical capabilities, while medicines, medical supplies, and equipment are being gathered and dispatched via Panama and other international channels.

Homeless, international aid, and the race to save the trapped

The humanitarian crisis is worsening by the hour. Thousands of citizens have lost their homes and are living either in their cars or in makeshift camps and shantytowns. Heartbreaking personal testimonies from residents who watched their lives collapse in a matter of seconds have shocked the world. “We lost everything,” said 64-year-old Pedro Pérez, who lost both his home and the upholstery workshop he ran. “We hope help arrives quickly,” he said, describing how he now sleeps on the street alongside his wife and children.

In the coastal city of Morón, homes have been leveled while many areas remain without electricity or water. Residents are trying to salvage whatever remains of their belongings, carrying out mattresses, appliances, and personal items. Meanwhile, rescuers, soldiers, and volunteers continue searching through the rubble, even with their bare hands. “He’s under the slabs and there’s no machinery to get him out,” said Yamileth Jiménez, referring to her 19-year-old son who remains trapped.

Among the 589 victims, citizens from China, Italy, Spain, Portugal, and Brazil have already been identified, highlighting the international dimension of the tragedy. Search and rescue teams from Chile, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Switzerland, and other countries are continuously arriving in Venezuela. The United States is sending specialized teams, medical supplies, and humanitarian aid accompanied by a $150 million assistance package, while Colombia, Cuba, Spain, France, the Czech Republic, Iran, the Japanese NGO Peace Winds, and the Vatican — which has allocated an initial sum of €100,000 — have also announced aid. The United Nations is coordinating overall urban search and rescue operations as the race against time to locate those still trapped beneath the rubble continues.

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