Venezuelan earthquake death toll hits at least 920 as US rescuers race against critical survival window

Three days aft nan devastating earthquakes successful Venezuela, nan decease toll has climbed to astatine slightest 920, pinch much than 3,300 injured and tens of thousands still missing.

Rescue operations person continued since nan 7.2 and 7.5-magnitude earthquakes struck nan bluish statement of nan state connected Wednesday, pinch authorities saying 243 group person been saved truthful far.

American hunt and rescue teams from Virginia, California and Florida were dispatched to Venezuela connected Friday, joining nan effort to propulsion group retired of collapsed buildings.

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Residents and rescue workers hunt done nan rubble 2 days aft an earthquake struck La Guaira, Venezuela, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Juan Pablo Arraez)

Anthony Marrone, nan Los Angeles County occurrence chief, told The New York Times that section occurrence units from Los Angeles County and Fairfax County, Virginia, are nan only ones successful nan United States trained to activity abroad.

The Los Angeles County squad is 73-strong and brought pinch them concrete-busting machines, listening devices to perceive group trapped nether rubble and a myriad of different instrumentality to assistance successful nan ongoing humanitarian effort.

The State Department is starring nan national consequence to nan earthquakes, according to U.S. Southern Command.

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

"Day aliases night, nan [Department of War] is moving captious life-saving instrumentality to Venezuela," U.S. Southern Command said successful a Friday nighttime post. The station included respective pictures of a dense building conveyance hauling ample boxes of supplies.

A dense building conveyance operated by nan U.S. subject hauls assistance destined for Venezuela aft nan state was deed by copy earthquakes connected Wednesday. (U.S. Southern Command)

Even pinch each nan assistance coming from nan United States — which has pledged $150 cardinal to emergency aid — and world organizations, Venezuelans person reported that their authorities has not had a robust consequence to nan earthquakes.

Locals told The Associated Press that they've seen fewer authorities rescue teams successful nan hardest-hit areas. According to aid agencies, nan first 48 to 72 hours is nan astir important model to retrieve group alive.

DEATH TOLL FROM VENEZUELA EARTHQUAKES RISES TO AT LEAST 589, WITH THOUSANDS REPORTED MISSING

On Friday night, Venezuelan authorities said they would statesman blocking entree to La Guaira — wherever nan worst demolition occurred — truthful hunt teams tin run without getting hampered by citizens.

According to nan AP, officials said anyone who wants to participate now will person to get permits, though they did not explicate who would beryllium eligible for one.

Rescue workers spot Daniel Cordero connected a stretcher aft pulling him from nan rubble 2 days aft an earthquake struck Catia la Mar, Venezuela, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

This move from nan authorities comes aft locals person been taking nan hunt for their missing loved ones into their ain hands.

Nazareth Jimenez, who lives successful nan authorities of La Guaira, conscionable northbound of Caracas, said she had to watch arsenic her neighbors utilized hammers and powerfulness devices to effort to trim done nan actual of an flat building.

She stood by and waited to spot if her siblings, nephews, nieces and friends would look alive.

"We're making a telephone for thief to nan authorities and countries crossed nan world," Jimenez told nan AP. "There are still group live successful there."

The Venezuelan government, led by acting President Delcy Rodriguez, has distributed nutrient and h2o to survivors successful La Guaira, but residents still opportunity it has not been enough.

Residents walks done nan rubble 2 days aft earthquakes struck Catia La Mar, Venezuela, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

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The earthquakes airs a awesome situation to Rodriguez, nan erstwhile vice president whose governing conjugation took style aft nan United States mounted an cognition that captured and deposed then-President Nicolás Maduro.

Rodriguez's activity will beryllium tested during this crisis, arsenic good arsenic nan legitimacy of her government, fixed that she was not elected to nan presidency and has not fixed immoderate timetable connected erstwhile elections will beryllium held.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.