Venezuela earthquakes: What happens in the first 72 hours?
Key takeaways
- Acting President Delcy Rodriguez has declared a nationwide state of emergency, while Simon Bolivar International Airport in Caracas has been closed after it was damaged.
- As rescuers comb through the rubble, every passing hour matters.
- Here’s what typically happens – and all the factors which must be considered during rescue efforts – during those crucial first three days after a major earthquake.
Why this matters: an international story with cross-border implications worth tracking.
Experts say the first three days following a serious quake often determine how many lives can still be saved.
xwhatsapp-strokecopylinkgoogle Add Al Jazeera on Googleinfo Rescuers work at the scene in an earthquake-affected area of Caracas, Venezuela, on June 25, 2026 [Ronald Pena R/EPA]By Caolán Magee Published On 26 Jun 202626 Jun 2026Rescue teams are racing against time across Venezuela after two powerful earthquakes ripped through the country, leaving hundreds of people dead, thousands injured and many others trapped beneath collapsed buildings.
The country’s health minister said at least 235 people have been killed and more than 4,300 wounded, with the death toll expected to rise amid the devastation, which is concentrated in the northern coastal state of La Guaira and in the capital city, Caracas.