Search operations for survivors of the major earthquake in Venezuela continue despite passing the "72-hour golden window" and entering the 100th hour. Meanwhile, the death toll has surged to over 1,450, with more than 51,000 missing.
On 30 June 2026 GMT+7, rescue workers from several countries continued to urgently search for survivors following a 7.2-magnitude earthquake that struck northern Venezuela last Wednesday. Although the operation has passed the "72-hour golden window" and reached the 100th hour—when chances of finding survivors under collapsed buildings greatly diminish—efforts persist.
However, a miracle occurred when rescue teams from France and the United States managed to save a man and his teenage son from the rubble in Caraballeda, a city about 40 kilometers north of Caracas. This offered hope to the many families still awaiting news of their missing loved ones. Venezuelan authorities reported more than 1,450 dead, thousands injured, and over 51,000 missing. The death toll is expected to rise further as many people remain trapped under debris.
Jorge Rodríguez, President of Venezuela's National Assembly, revealed that the city of La Guaira has been the hardest hit. In many areas, residents continue to search for relatives trapped beneath rubble using their bare hands, alongside international rescue teams from countries including the United States, Mexico, and France.