UN deploys rescue mission in Venezuela: 235 dead, 4,300 injured — search teams from several countries arrive
Two quakes of magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 within 40 seconds, destruction in Caracas and several states, critical infrastructure damaged. Guterres expressed condolences and welcomed support from UN member states. OCHA is coordinating the deployment of international search and rescue teams.
As reported by CCTV+, two powerful earthquakes of magnitude 7.2 and 7.5, occurring just 40 seconds apart late on Wednesday, were the strongest to hit Venezuela in over a century and the deadliest in decades. At least 235 people were killed and more than 4,300 injured, the country's health minister said on state television on Thursday evening.
The United Nations is mobilising aid and working closely with the government and partners on the emergency response, UN Secretary-General Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said in a statement on Thursday. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is organising the deployment of search and rescue teams arriving from several countries.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed deep sorrow over the loss of life and damage caused by the quakes, offering condolences to the families of the victims and wishing a speedy recovery to the injured. "As you can imagine, the Secretary-General is deeply saddened by the loss of life and the widespread destruction caused by the devastating earthquakes in Venezuela. Initial reports indicate significant damage in several states, including the capital Caracas. Numerous deaths and injuries have been reported, with others still trapped or unaccounted for. Critical infrastructure has been damaged and the provision of essential services disrupted," Dujarric said.
Guterres also expressed solidarity with Venezuela and welcomed support from UN member states at this critical time. "The United Nations in Venezuela and the wider UN system are mobilising assistance and working closely with the government and partners to support the response effort. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs is facilitating the deployment of urban search and rescue teams. The Secretary-General welcomes offers of solidarity and support from member states during this critical time. The Secretary-General expresses his solidarity with the people and government of Venezuela," Dujarric said.
The two quakes struck near the coastal town of Morón, about 160 km west of Caracas, at a depth of 10 km, amplifying their destructive impact. Massive destruction has been reported in Caracas and neighbouring states: residential buildings collapsed, hospitals and roads damaged. Search and rescue operations continue, and the death toll may rise. Venezuela lies in a seismically active zone at the boundary of the Caribbean and South American tectonic plates. The UN is deploying international aid, but access to affected areas is hampered by damaged infrastructure.
When the earth gives way twice in 40 seconds, the world collapses not only physically. 235 dead is not just a number. It is mothers, fathers, children who will not come home. 4,300 injured is pain that will not fade in the coming weeks. The UN is coming to help, but rescuers cannot bring back the dead. They can only search for the living under the rubble while time works against them. Guterres speaks of solidarity, but words cannot replace the hands clearing debris. In such disasters, it becomes clear how fragile civilisation is: one tremor — and cities turn to ruins. And while the international community gathers aid, in Caracas people are still waiting to be heard from under the concrete.
