Hope of finding more survivors fades as Venezuela earthquake death toll nears 2,300

Hope of finding more survivors beneath the rubble is fading as the death toll from the devastating twin earthquakes in Venezuela has climbed to 2,295, one week after the disaster struck the country. Rescue teams continue searching through collapsed buildings, but officials say the chances of finding people alive have diminished significantly as thousands remain missing. The worst-hit areas include La Guaira, where widespread destruction has left entire neighbourhoods in ruins.

Authorities have declared seven days of national mourning, with interim President Delcy Rodríguez expressing grief over the scale of the tragedy. Rescue workers from several countries remain on the ground, using specialised equipment and sniffer dogs to search for survivors. Despite a few miraculous rescues in recent days, experts say the critical survival window has largely passed, making recovery efforts increasingly difficult.

The earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude, have displaced thousands, destroyed homes and infrastructure, and left many communities struggling with shortages of food, clean water, and medical supplies. International humanitarian assistance continues to arrive as authorities focus on relief, recovery, and rebuilding efforts while assessing the full extent of the disaster.