Nearly three weeks after two powerful earthquakes devastated Venezuela, the scale of the tragedy continues to grow as authorities report thousands dead, tens of thousands injured, and entire communities struggling to recover.
According to Vatican News, Venezuelan authorities said the death toll from the June 24 earthquakes has risen to 4,490. Officials also reported that more than 16,000 people have been injured, while nearly 18,000 people have been left without homes as rescue and recovery operations continue.
Although emergency crews have rescued approximately 6,500 people, many families are still searching through collapsed buildings for loved ones who remain missing.
Among the many heartbreaking stories emerging from the disaster is that of a teenage girl in La Guaira, identified by Reuters as the epicenter of the earthquakes. According to Reuters, the girl remained conscious beneath the rubble for 24 hours, but rescuers were unable to reach her because the specialized equipment needed never arrived. Her body remains trapped beneath the collapsed structure.
Reuters also reported that her 17-year-old friend, Maria, survived after spending 17 hours trapped beneath the debris. The two had been rehearsing a dance performance for their graduation when the earthquakes struck. Of the ten friends preparing for the event together, six survived.
As the emergency response shifts toward long-term recovery, international rescue teams that traveled to Venezuela during the critical first days are now returning home.
Reflecting on the rescue efforts, according to Vatican News, a British firefighter told the BBC, “We knew there were people who were alive, but because of the amount of debris and rubble in the way, we just couldn’t physically get there in time and unfortunately… people had passed on.”
Despite the overwhelming devastation, rescue workers also witnessed extraordinary compassion from those who had lost nearly everything.
“They’ve lost their homes, friends and families, [and] they still found time to offer us kindness,” another member of the British rescue team told the BBC.
“They were offering us water, sweets—anything they had. They were offering it just to help us get through those difficult moments, which was amazing. Their kindness was just exceptional to me.”
The humanitarian needs remain immense. According to Vatican News, the United Nations has launched an emergency appeal seeking nearly $300 million to provide aid to approximately 1.3 million people over the next six months.
The United Nations also estimates that the earthquakes caused approximately $6.7 billion in damage, an amount equal to roughly six percent of Venezuela’s gross domestic product.
As rescue efforts give way to rebuilding, the suffering in Venezuela continues to call for prayer, compassion, and international solidarity with the many families mourning loved ones and facing an uncertain future.
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