Venezuela death toll climbs as rescuers search quake rubble

Relatives of U.S. deportees trapped in Venezuela’s quake zone have begun combing through rubble themselves as the death toll climbs above 1,900 and thousands remain unaccounted for. Damaged roads and closed airports have slowed outside help, and government rescue crews were too scarce to meet the need.

Venezuela was struck on June 24 by a powerful foreshock and then a larger earthquake about 39 seconds later, with magnitudes of roughly 7.2 and 7.5. The U.S. Geological Survey issued red PAGER alerts for both quakes, warning of likely widespread losses of life and major damage. Initial counts put the death toll at at least 235, with about 4,300 injured, but the scale of the disaster kept growing as rescue teams reached more areas.

La Guaira, on Venezuela’s northern Caribbean coast, was one of the hardest-hit areas. The main airport there was closed because of damage, slowing the delivery of aid and complicating the movement of rescue crews and medical supplies. A NASA assessment based on satellite imagery estimated that nearly 60,000 buildings may have been damaged or destroyed, with neighborhoods already struggling with disrupted water, transport and emergency services.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with acting President Delcy Rodríguez and offered U.S. search-and-rescue teams, medical resources and humanitarian aid. The United States deployed teams from Fairfax County, Virginia, and Los Angeles, and more than 300 American rescuers were on the ground. The U.S. travel advisory for Venezuela warned of extensive disruption to transportation, infrastructure and emergency services, and the embassy’s consular section in Caracas was providing emergency services only to U.S. citizens.