The death toll from the devastating earthquakes that struck Venezuela has continued to climb, with some reports estimating that as many as 1,400 people have been killed. Officials fear the number will rise significantly as rescue teams continue searching for tens of thousands of missing people amid severe shortages of manpower and emergency aid. The disaster is being described as the country’s most powerful earthquake in more than 125 years.

While the official government death toll has surpassed 920, health authorities believe the actual number of fatalities has already exceeded 1,400—a figure also cited by The New York Times.

Authorities reported that more than 50,000 people remain missing or out of contact, while hospitals across the country have treated over 3,200 injured survivors.

Acting Venezuelan President Delcy Rodríguez declared the coastal state of La Guaira a national disaster zone after widespread collapses of homes, public buildings, and critical infrastructure.

The capital, Caracas, has suffered extensive disruption. The city’s subway system has been completely shut down, the country’s main international airport remains closed because of significant runway damage, and large sections of the capital are without electricity, cellular service, or natural gas.

Thousands of displaced residents have been forced to spend their nights in parks and open areas, fearing that continued aftershocks could bring down additional buildings. Maria Andreina Pernalet, whose home sustained major damage, described the terrifying experience: “We are deeply shocked and frightened. We hugged each other and prayed. It was truly horrifying.”

The powerful quake struck during a national holiday, catching many residents inside their homes.

Luis Colmenares said he was inside a movie theater when the earthquake struck. “Everything went dark and everything started shaking. People started running, children were screaming in fear. The earthquake lasted between two and three minutes—it felt endless.”

Countries around the world have begun dispatching humanitarian aid and specialized rescue teams, including experts and search-and-rescue dogs from the United States, Britain, Switzerland, and Chile.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the disaster consisted of two massive earthquakes measuring magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 that struck just 39 seconds apart along the San Sebastián fault system, making it the strongest seismic event to hit Venezuela in well over a century.

{Matzav.com}