Live: Quake death toll rises to 188 as rescue operation continues

A major search and rescue operation is underway to find survivors in Venezuela after a devastating double earthquake.

At least 188 have lost their lives, thousands remain missing and 250 buildings have been lost or damaged, President of the National Asembly Jorge Rodríguez has said.

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Fri 26 Jun 2026 at 6:46am

Rubio outlines US's initial response

Search and rescue teams have been deployed to Venezuela from the Washington DC and Los Angeles regions, the US says.

The US Department of Defense is also sending assets to Caracas's "badly damaged" airport, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said.

"We're also helping them with some overhead imagery, especially in coastal areas, where they don't have full visibility over what the damage has been and what the impact has been," he said.

"The most immediate need, the one they need right now, is search and rescue. That's the one they need immediately, because you've got to get people out of that rubble within 48 hours or they won't survive."

The requirements for the next phase of the response will become clearer in the next couple of days, Rubio said.

"We'll have a better assessment of that after the next 48 hours, when we’re on the ground and as the Venezuelan authorities get more visibility as to the level of damage in terms of housing, where do you put all these people that don't have anywhere to go live, what we can do to help them restore their communications, their internet, their telecom and so forth."

Fri 26 Jun 2026 at 6:42am

Satellite images show La Guaira before and after the earthquakes

By Georgie Hewson

Fri 26 Jun 2026 at 6:41am

Locals in La Guaira dig through rubble in search of loved ones

By Georgie Hewson

Nearly 24 hours after devastating twin earthquakes in Venezuela, people in the coastal city of La Guaira are still using their hands to dig through rubble, trying to rescue their neighbours.

Locals have expressed frustration at lack of machinery available to help their efforts.

US Geological Survey models suggest the number of deaths from the earthquakes could exceed 10,000.

La Guaira is a popular spot for beachgoers and is the worst-hit city in the country.

Some rubble caught fire overnight despite domestic gas services being cut.

Terrified residents, many with nowhere else to go, huddled in the streets or peered into destroyed buildings, looking for survivors.

Reporting with Reuters

Fri 26 Jun 2026 at 6:33am

Delcy Rodriguez visiting La Guaira 'disaster zone'

By Georgie Hewson

Venezuela's interim president, Delcy Rodriguez, has visited the coastal area worst hit by the twin earthquakes, according to the head of the country's legislature.

"She is currently in La Guaira state, attending to the tremendous disaster zone," her brother, National Assembly leader Jorge Rodriguez, said in a televised address.

No images of the visit have emerged yet.

Fri 26 Jun 2026 at 6:24am

Good morning

By Georgie Hewson

A "massive" UN-coordinated recovery effort is underway to find survivors of two earthquakes that hit Venezuela yesterday, with countries from around the world deploying search-and-rescue teams.

Jorge Rodriguez, who heads Venezuela's national assembly, said at least 188 people had died, 1,520 people had been injured, and at least 250 buildings had been damaged or destroyed.

The death toll is predicted to climb.

Stay with us as we bring you the latest updates.

View original source — ABC News ↗

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