More than 50,000 missing after powerful quakes strike Venezuela

More than 50,000 people have been reported missing after two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela within minutes of each other overnight, triggering a major humanitarian crisis as rescuers race to find survivors beneath collapsed buildings.

According to Venezuelan Health Minister Carlos Alvarado, at least 235 people have been killed and more than 4,300 injured after earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude hit the country. Officials have warned that the death toll is likely to rise as search and rescue operations continue, Sky News reports.

"We've unfortunately received about ‌235 patients who arrive without vital signs ⁠or who pass away as they're arriving ⁠at our health ⁠centres," Alvarado said.

Authorities said more than 50,000 people have been reported missing, with the number continuing to increase. Families have been posting photographs of missing relatives on a dedicated online platform in the hope of locating loved ones.

Politician Jorge Rodriguez said around 200 people remain trapped beneath collapsed buildings as emergency teams work to reach the worst-affected areas.

The 7.5-magnitude earthquake is believed to be the strongest to hit Venezuela in more than a century. The country's main airport sustained damage and was forced to close, while buildings were evacuated as far away as Brazil. Residents fled into the streets in panic as the earthquakes struck.

The United States has begun deploying assistance for the disaster response. U.S. Marine Corps Major General Kevin J. Jarrard has arrived in Caracas to direct and coordinate U.S. military support for relief operations.

U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said the United States "stands with the people of Venezuela" following the earthquakes and confirmed that the Defence Department was mobilising to support relief efforts.

"When the lives of our friends are on the line, America moves," Hegseth said.

Meanwhile, Starlink, the satellite internet service operated by SpaceX, announced it would provide free internet access to its users in Venezuela for one month to help maintain communications during the emergency.

The United Nations also warned that the humanitarian response will be challenging, noting that millions of people in Venezuela already required assistance before the disaster.

"The coming days will require a massive collective effort" to support those affected by the earthquakes, senior U.N. official Tom Fletcher said. He added that nearly eight million people in the country were already in need of humanitarian support before the disaster struck.

By Sabina Mammadli