Nearly 14,700 missing after devastating Venezuela earthquake PHOTO / VIDEO / UPDATED

17:33

Nearly 14,700 people have been reported missing in the wake of the powerful earthquake that struck Venezuela, El Diario reports.

Preliminary reports indicate that the whereabouts of 14,698 individuals remain unknown, with authorities linking their disappearance to the catastrophic impact of the disaster.

15:56

More than 10,000 people have been reported missing after two strong earthquakes hit Venezuela - and experts are predicting the number killed will rise, Sky News reports.

Earlier, Vice President Delcy Rodríguez updated the casualty figures, reporting that more than 970 people had been injured, while 164 others could not be saved. 

14:56

France will deploy a team of 85 rescue workers to Venezuela to assist in response efforts following the devastating earthquake, French President Emmanuel Macron has said on X.

The deployment comes as international assistance begins to mobilise after the powerful earthquake that struck Venezuela, causing widespread destruction and significant casualties.

14:54

The death toll from the powerful earthquake that struck Venezuela has risen to 164, while nearly 1,000 people have been injured, Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez has said.

Speaking on state television, Rodríguez noted that around 30 aftershocks have been recorded since the disaster, Caliber.Az reports, citing the BBC.

The earthquake, the strongest to hit Venezuela in more than a century, caused extensive damage in affected areas and triggered a large-scale emergency response.

14:37

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) said it stands ready to support relief efforts in Venezuela following a devastating earthquake that struck the South American country.

Acting WFP Executive Director Carl Skau said on X, the agency was prepared to provide assistance to communities affected by the disaster and help support emergency response operations.

"The WFP stands ready to provide assistance and support response efforts to reach communities quickly," Skau said.

14:21

French authorities have offered to send rescue teams and earthquake response specialists to Venezuela following the recent earthquake in the South American country.

The offer was conveyed by French President Emmanuel Macron during a telephone conversation with Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez, according to a statement published by Rodríguez on her Telegram channel.

Rodríguez said Macron expressed support and solidarity with the Venezuelan people and proposed assistance in the form of rescue personnel and specialists in emergency response and disaster recovery.

12:03

Rescue teams have pulled 23 people from under the rubble of buildings destroyed by the earthquake in the Chacao municipality of Caracas, municipal mayor Gustavo Duque announced.

According to him, all 23 individuals were rescued alive, CNN reports.

“Thankfully, we are hearing people alive and we will rescue them. <...> We will not leave here until we rescue the last person we can save alive, and I know that with God’s help we will succeed,” he said in an Instagram video.

Duque added that the rescued individuals are receiving medical assistance as emergency operations continue in the affected areas.

11:42

A total of 13 countries and territories, along with international organisations, have expressed solidarity with Venezuela and offered assistance following the devastating earthquake, Venezuelan acting President Delcy Rodríguez said.

She noted that the United States, Panama, Qatar, Cuba, Nicaragua, Türkiye, Jordan, Barbados, Curaçao, Colombia, the United Kingdom, Brazil, Mexico, the United Nations, and international financial organisations have contacted Venezuela to express solidarity and offer support.

Separately, OPEC Secretary General Haitham al-Ghais also expressed solidarity with the Venezuelan people.

11:38

A major hotel, Hotel Eduard’s, has collapsed in Venezuela’s La Guaira state on the Caribbean coast following the powerful earthquakes, CNN reports.

According to the outlet, only the building’s entrance structure remains intact after the collapse.

The speaker of Venezuela’s National Assembly, Jorge Rodríguez, said that up to 15 buildings have collapsed in La Guaira, adding that the state was among the hardest hit by the seismic activity.

11:11

On a website created to track missing persons and published by Venezuelan opposition leaders on the social network X, as of 03:08 Caracas time (11:08 Baku time), 8,017 people were listed as missing following two powerful earthquakes, while 431 individuals had already been located and confirmed safe.

10:58

Following the powerful earthquakes that struck Venezuela, Cuban medical personnel already deployed in the country have begun providing emergency assistance to people injured in the disaster, Cuba’s Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla said.

Rodríguez Parrilla also expressed deep condolences to the government and people of Venezuela over the loss of life and extensive destruction caused by the natural disaster.

Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodríguez said that rescue teams from several countries are expected to arrive in the country in the coming hours to assist with ongoing emergency operations.

The United States is also sending search and rescue teams, medical supplies, and humanitarian aid, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced.

The coordinated international response comes as emergency services continue search-and-rescue operations amid widespread damage and concerns over rising casualties in the affected regions.

The United States extends our deepest condolences to the people of Venezuela following the devastating earthquakes.

Our hearts are with all those who have lost loved ones, those injured, and the courageous rescue workers working tirelessly in the aftermath.

America stands…

— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) June 25, 2026

09:04

At least 32 people have been killed and around 700 injured after two powerful earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude struck off Venezuela’s northern coast on the night of June 25, just 40 seconds apart, causing widespread destruction across the country, BBC reports.

Rescue teams in the capital, Caracas, are searching for people trapped beneath collapsed buildings, while authorities warn that the death toll could rise as emergency crews continue operations in affected areas.

“High casualties and extensive damage are probable, and the disaster is likely widespread,” the US Geological Survey said, adding that preliminary estimates suggest the number of fatalities could range from 10,000 to 100,000.

Economic losses are estimated at between 1% and 5% of Venezuela’s GDP.

Acting Venezuelan President Delcy Rodríguez declared a nationwide state of emergency and announced the closure of Caracas International Airport due to earthquake-related damage.

Reacting to the disaster, US President Donald Trump said the earthquakes had resulted in a “devastating number of deaths,” describing them as extremely powerful. He pledged immediate assistance.

“I have instructed all agencies of our government to get ready to move quickly. We will be there for our new and great friends,” the US president noted.

By Jeyhun Aghazada