Two powerful earthquakes, measured by the US Geological Survey at magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5, struck northern Venezuela on 24 June, causing buildings to collapse across coastal La Guaira state and the capital, Caracas. The tremors, which occurred within a minute of each other, were followed by more than 300 aftershocks, according to the survey.

The official death toll has been reported at divergent figures. Jorge Rodríguez, president of the National Assembly, announced on Saturday that at least 1,430 people had been killed, while other government statements cited 920 fatalities. The United Nations humanitarian chief, Tom Fletcher, said more than 50,000 people remain unaccounted for, describing the search operation as “enormously complex”. The International Organization for Migration estimated that 6.76 million people may have been affected, including two million in Caracas alone.

Rescue operations have been bolstered by the arrival of 1,600 foreign personnel from at least 17 countries, with Venezuelan officials expecting 25 additional flights within 24 hours. A US military team led by a Marine general has also reached Caracas, according to US officials. However, residents and volunteers in La Guaira have complained of a shortage of heavy equipment and limited official presence, with some families digging through rubble by hand. Authorities closed the main road between La Guaira and Caracas on Friday evening, citing traffic congestion that impeded emergency vehicles, and required identity cards for civilians seeking to cross.

Acting President Delcy Rodríguez, who has led the country since January, said 14,000 military and police personnel had been deployed to La Guaira for patrols and health measures. She reported that 60 per cent of electricity supplies had been restored, though power remained out near the epicentre in Morón and in parts of La Guaira. The UN and partners are using satellite imagery analysis, which showed 31.5 per cent of buildings in the town of Catia La Mar were damaged, to prioritise aid delivery. The death toll remains provisional as search teams continue to work through unstable structures.