Venezuela’s Earthquake Death Toll nears 200 as Thousands Missing amid massive rescue operation

CARACAS – Venezuela, the country of 28 million, is witnessing aftermath of its deadliest natural disasters in recent history as the confirmed death toll from earthquakes has soared to 188, with 1,520 people injured and around hundreds others still believed to be trapped beneath collapsed buildings, according to National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez. The tragedy is expected to deepen in the coming days as rescue teams struggle to reach isolated communities cut off by damaged infrastructure and challenging terrain. International media said more than 11,000 people have been reported missing, although officials caution that the figure includes only reports submitted by people who were able to access internet services, raising fears that the true number could be significantly higher. 🇻🇪 Freaking devastating footage of Venezuela after it got absolutely crushed by twin massive earthquakes. The number keeps piling up, with at least 164 people dead, nearly 1,000 injured, and over 11,000 missing. More than 100 BUILDINGS COLLAPSED in La Guaira alone, with entire… https://t.co/1ZHLCVp4OX — Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) June 25, 2026 Search-and-rescue operations are continuing across the country, but the scale of the destruction is making the mission increasingly difficult. Independent journalist Paul Dobson told Al Jazeera that many mountainous villages and remote coastal communities can only be reached by boat or river, slowing emergency response efforts and leaving countless families anxiously awaiting news of missing loved ones. Officials estimate that nearly 250 buildings have been damaged or completely destroyed, leaving thousands homeless. Humanitarian organization Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has also reported widespread disruptions to mobile phone and internet services, complicating rescue coordination and making it difficult for families to contact one another. In some of the worst-affected neighborhoods, including Chacao, residents spent another night sl