Venezuela Earthquake Death Toll Reaches 1,430 as U.S. Sends Additional Aid

Twin earthquakes struck Venezuela’s northern region on Wednesday evening, and by Saturday afternoon the death toll had risen to 1,430, with 3,238 people injured, according to Jorge Rodriguez, the president of the National Assembly.

CBS News described Venezuelans digging through rubble of collapsed homes and apartment buildings three days after the quakes, while aid agencies said the first 48 to 72 hours are crucial to retrieve people alive.

ABC7 Chicago

The Washington Post reported that the United States plans to send another nine-figure aid package this week to Venezuela as the search for survivors continues.

The New York Times said the death toll rose to 1,430 people and that more than 3,200 people were injured and more than 3,000 left homeless by the 7.2- and 7.5-magnitude quakes.

As search efforts continued, Acting President Delcy Rodríguez said the Venezuelan government was mounting a full response during these "critical hours for rescuing people alive" and welcomed the arrival of international rescuers and humanitarian aid.

The New York Times reported that more than 14,000 police and military officers were patrolling La Guaira, the northern state hardest hit by the earthquakes, to guarantee the security of relief efforts, while President Delcy Rodríguez said early Saturday on state television.

ABC7 Los Angeles

AP News said families reported at least 68,900 people missing three days after the one-two punch of 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes devastated Venezuela, and it described tensions flaring in La Guaira as rescuers and civilians searched.

In a televised address, Jorge Rodríguez told the public that the death toll had risen to at least 1,430 and that another 3,200 people were injured and 3,100 left homeless, while the Guardian reported that access was blocked and special permits were required to enter.

International response expanded as the first US aid flights trickled into Caracas, with the UN humanitarian agency OCHA saying search-and-rescue teams from at least 17 countries were being mobilised to help find survivors.

CNN reported that one runway at Simón Bolívar International Airport near Caracas was operational, easing a key bottleneck for the influx of aid, and it said 21 international aid delegations comprised of more than 2,000 aid workers had arrived so far.

The Guardian said at least 68,900 people had been reported unaccounted for by their families, and it added that the UN estimated the quakes caused $6.7bn in damage, equivalent to 6% of Venezuela’s GDP.

Fox News said the death toll had climbed to at least 920 with more than 3,300 injured and tens of thousands still missing, while it also reported that authorities said 243 people have been saved so far.