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Venezuela Faces Shrinking Rescue Window After Deadly Double Quake

International search teams are arriving as authorities report nearly 920 dead and tens of thousands listed missing, increasing urgency around coordinated access to the worst‑hit areas.

Overview

  • Two powerful earthquakes on Wednesday struck northern Venezuela and caused widespread building collapses, with La Guaira and Caracas sustaining the heaviest damage.
  • Authorities have confirmed about 920 deaths and 3,360 injured while online registries and the UN estimate more than 50,000 people listed as missing.
  • Roughly 1,600 international rescue specialists and about 100 search dogs have been mobilized to help with time‑critical searches but rescuers warn the window to find survivors is closing.
  • The interim government has declared La Guaira a disaster zone, restricted and militarized access to control operations, and set up registration points for entry to the area.
  • Hospitals, roads and the Maiquetía airport suffered damage and shortages of equipment and heavy machinery persist, exposing long‑term infrastructure weakness that will complicate relief and reconstruction.