Survivors pulled from rubble by hand as international teams race to find the missing amid widespread devastation and growing humanitarian fears

The death toll from two powerful earthquakes that struck Venezuela has climbed to at least 920, with more than 3,300 people injured and many still trapped beneath collapsed buildings, according to officials.

The twin quakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude, hit within a minute of each other late Wednesday, marking the strongest seismic event to impact the country in over a century. Entire communities, particularly in the coastal state of La Guaira, have been left in ruins, with hundreds of structures destroyed and critical infrastructure severely damaged.

Rescue efforts remain urgent but strained. In Caracas and other hard-hit areas, overwhelmed responders and volunteers have resorted to digging through debris by hand in search of survivors. Despite the challenges, stories of survival continue to emerge, offering moments of hope amid the devastation.

Families are still searching desperately for missing loved ones. One mother, whose two daughters remain unaccounted for, pleaded for their safe return, saying they are “all I have.” Others cling to hope, refusing to give up as search operations continue.

More than 240 people have been rescued in La Guaira alone, though officials warn that hundreds may still be trapped. Damaged infrastructure—including hospitals, roads, and communication systems—has complicated rescue coordination and slowed emergency response efforts.

International assistance is ramping up, with rescue teams, sniffer dogs, and specialist equipment arriving from multiple countries including the UK, US, and across Latin America. Humanitarian organisations have warned that the disaster could worsen an already fragile situation, as millions were already facing food shortages, weak healthcare systems, and limited access to basic services before the quakes struck.

Criticism has also emerged over the pace of the government’s initial response, even as military forces have since been deployed to manage affected regions and distribute aid.

As the search for survivors continues into its third day, aid agencies are urging swift global support to prevent the crisis from escalating further, warning that without immediate intervention, the tragedy could deepen significantly.