CARACAS, Venezuela — Survivors of the twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela this week described scenes of widespread destruction as emergency crews and volunteers continued searching for people trapped beneath collapsed buildings on Friday, while authorities said rescue operations remained underway in some of the hardest-hit areas. The powerful earthquakes, which struck within seconds of each other on Wednesday evening, caused extensive damage in and around Caracas and the coastal state of La Guaira, according to Venezuelan authorities.
Residents recounted that the initial shaking quickly intensified, giving them little time to react before buildings collapsed. Roberto Quintero, a student in Caracas, told Australia's ABC that his mother witnessed a neighboring building collapse from her apartment window before fleeing to safety. “Out of fear, she stayed locked inside,” he said, adding that the family later sheltered outdoors while waiting for information about the condition of nearby buildings.
In the coastal city of Catia La Mar, survivor Yilsmaris Blanco described the destruction after the earthquakes. “It was terrible. Everything, everything collapsed,” she told AFP, adding that while her family survived, many others remained trapped beneath the rubble or were searching for missing relatives.
Authorities said search-and-rescue teams, supported by volunteers and international personnel arriving in the country, continued working through damaged neighborhoods where collapsed apartment buildings and other structures complicated access. Officials said casualty figures and the number of missing people remained subject to revision as rescue efforts progressed.
The disaster also disrupted communications, prompting many Venezuelans inside the country and abroad to rely on social media and online missing-person registries to seek information about relatives. Families posted photographs and personal details in hopes of locating loved ones, while humanitarian organizations called for improved communication to support rescue coordination.
International assistance began reaching affected areas as foreign governments and aid organizations pledged personnel and emergency supplies, according to official statements. Rescue workers continued to warn that damaged buildings and aftershocks posed ongoing risks during recovery operations.
As of Friday, emergency operations remained focused on locating survivors, clearing debris and assessing structural damage across affected communities. Venezuelan authorities said response efforts were continuing, while officials cautioned that the full extent of the disaster had yet to be determined.
