Foreign rescue workers assist in recovering bodies after Venezuela earthquakes

Frustrated families in Venezuela, who had little hope of locating their loved ones after last week’s twin earthquakes, gathered on Friday to demand assistance in recovering bodies as the death toll remained uncertain. The families, many of whom had lost relatives in the coastal town of La Guaira, where residential complexes were flattened, called on authorities to expedite the identification and retrieval process.

On Friday, officials confirmed a total of 2,645 deaths and more than 12,000 injuries from the 7.2‑ and 7.5‑magnitude quakes that struck the country. The majority of fatalities occurred in La Guaira, a coastal municipality that suffered extensive damage. The government has been coordinating with emergency services to conduct mass graves and forensic examinations, but the scale of the disaster has stretched resources thin.

The government pledged additional support for families seeking closure, while international aid agencies have offered to assist with medical supplies and logistical coordination. As the recovery effort continues, authorities remain focused on clearing debris, securing sites, and providing transparent updates on casualty figures.