Death toll from Venezuela earthquakes rises to at least 235, with thousands reported missing

The decease toll from nan catastrophic bid of earthquakes that rocked Venezuela this week has risen to astatine slightest 235, pinch astatine slightest 4,300 injured and thousands much missing arsenic U.S. subject activity has arrived successful Caracas to thief coordinate alleviation efforts. 

The number of dead is expected to climb Friday following back-to-back magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 earthquakes that deed bluish Venezuela connected Wednesday night, astir 120 miles westbound of Caracas. 

Venezuelan authorities TV has broadcast dramatic images of rescues, including a female who was trapped nether a cement slab, only a bare ft poking retired earlier crews managed to get her retired alive, The Associated Press reported. The injured were seen being pulled retired of nan rubble covered successful particulate and blood, among them children and animals. 

U.S. Southern Command said overnight that U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Kevin J. Jarrard arrived successful Caracas connected Thursday "to oversee Department of War support to Venezuela earthquake alleviation efforts."

TRUMP ADMINISTRATION PLEDGES $150M IN AID, DEPLOYS NAVY WARSHIPS AFTER DEADLY VENEZUELA EARTHQUAKES

Neighbors transportation a man rescued from nan rubble of a collapsed building successful La Guaira, Venezuela, connected Thursday, June 25, 2026, nan time aft earthquakes struck nan area. (Pedro Mattey/AP Photo)

SOUTHCOM’s announcement comes arsenic nan Trump management has activated a government-wide humanitarian response, pledging $150 cardinal successful assistance and deploying U.S. Navy warships to assistance successful life-saving rescue operations.  

"Maj. Gen. Jarrard is serving arsenic nan elder U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) charismatic connected nan crushed and is moving intimately pinch partners to plan, coordinate, and nonstop nan U.S. military’s unparalleled logistical and operational capabilities to support nan rapid, life-saving activity of consequence personnel, equipment, and humanitarian assistance into affected areas," SOUTHCOM said successful a statement, noting that Venezuela’s interim authorities — led by acting President Delcy Rodríguez — formally requested American assistance. 

"Assigned U.S. subject forces will utilize fixed and rotor helping craft to supply specialized mobility services and assistance U.S. Government personnel, search and rescue teams, and partners assessing harm and delivering captious life-saving assistance," SOUTHCOM added.

PLAYERS, FANS FLEE STADIUM AS POWERFUL EARTHQUAKES STRIKE DURING VENEZUELA BASEBALL GAME

Responders hunt for victims successful a demolished building successful Caracas, Venezuela, aft a magnitude 7.2 earthquake and a 7.5 aftershock struck nan region connected June 24, 2026. (Jesus Vargas/Getty Images)

The coastal region of La Guaira, which is located northbound of Caracas, suffered immoderate of nan heaviest harm and casualties. The country’s main airdrome is location and was closed owed to damage, complicating assistance efforts. 

Retired schoolteacher Juan Alberto Mendaño climbed done wreckage successful La Guaira and past a assemblage erstwhile he spotted a female who was trapped and signaling pinch her manus for help, according to nan AP. 

"May God rescue her arsenic quickly arsenic possible," Mendaño reportedly said. "When we heard nan scream, location was thing we could do." 

Venezuelan authorities said they were diverting rescue teams from different parts of nan state to La Guaira. 

Rodríguez besides appealed to businesses Thursday to make dense building instrumentality disposable for rescue operations.

Patients dishonesty extracurricular a infirmary evacuated aft it was damaged successful an earthquake successful Catia La Mar, Venezuela, connected June 25, 2026. (Pedro Mattey/AP)

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"We dream to rescue arsenic galore surviving group arsenic possible," Rodríguez added, referring to La Guaira arsenic a "disaster zone." 

Fox News Digital’s Alexandra Koch and The Associated Press contributed to this report.