Death Toll Rises to 1,430 After Venezuela Earthquakes, Nearly 69,000 Still Missing

The death toll from the devastating twin earthquakes that struck northern Venezuela has risen to 1,430, while nearly 69,000 people remain missing as search and rescue teams continue operations across the country’s hardest-hit regions.

The powerful 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes struck less than a minute apart on June 24, 2026, causing widespread destruction across north-central Venezuela and triggering one of the country’s deadliest natural disasters in modern history.

Death Toll Continues to Climb

Officials reported on Saturday that 1,430 people have been confirmed dead, with authorities warning the number is expected to increase as emergency crews continue clearing collapsed buildings.

Family reports and missing persons registries indicate that approximately 68,900 people remain unaccounted for, while United Nations estimates suggest that tens of thousands are still missing.

More than 3,200 people have been injured, and over 3,100 families have been displaced after homes and neighborhoods were destroyed.

Widespread Damage Across Northern Venezuela

The most severe destruction has been reported in La Guaira, Caracas, Miranda, Carabobo, and Yaracuy, where residential buildings, businesses, and public infrastructure suffered catastrophic damage.

In several coastal communities, entire apartment blocks and commercial buildings collapsed, leaving rescue workers searching through massive piles of concrete and debris.

Authorities also reported more than 430 aftershocks, including a magnitude 4.8 earthquake on Saturday, creating dangerous conditions for rescue crews and survivors.

Rescue Efforts Continue

Search teams remain engaged in an urgent effort to locate survivors despite increasingly difficult conditions as the critical rescue window narrows.

Thousands of military personnel, police officers, firefighters, and international search-and-rescue specialists are working across affected areas. Humanitarian aid, medical supplies, and emergency shelters continue arriving from multiple countries.

Damage to transportation infrastructure, including the country’s main international airport, has complicated relief operations, although emergency repairs are underway to support the continued delivery of aid.

Authorities continue urging residents to follow emergency guidance and avoid unstable structures as aftershocks remain possible.