Rescue workers pour into Venezuela as search continues, deaths top 900
Rescue workers pour into Venezuela as search continues, deaths top 900
Jeanine Santucci, USA TODAYSat, June 27, 2026 at 2:00 PM UTC
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Rescue work continued in Venezuela on June 27 days after a doublet of earthquakes struck, killing at least 900 people and injuring thousands.
The two quakes, with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, struck within one minute of each other on June 24, bringing immediate devastation. Buildings and homes collapsed and hospitals were damaged.
Venezuelan Interim President Delcy Rodríguez said on June 26 she had spoken with U.S. President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the phone, who she said "who reaffirmed the support of the United States government at this difficult moment for Venezuela."
The ground in the Caracas capital region shook again on June 26, this time from a smaller, 4.7 magnitude quake at shortly after 6 p.m. local time, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
Here's what we know about the aftermath on June 27.
Death toll in Venezuela earthquakes nears 1,000
As of the latest figures given by Venezuelan authorities on June 26, there were at least 920 people killed and 3,360 injured in the earthquakes two days earlier. The toll has continued to soar as rescue crews sift through the wreckage.
At least 172 people were known to be trapped, officials said in their most recent update.
The toll could continue rising as crews search devastated areas. The USGS has said its data predicted a toll that could reach into the thousands.
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International rescuers pour into the country as search continues
About 1,600 international rescuers have entered the country to comb through rubble and flattened buildings in a desperate search for survivors, the Venezuelan government said on June 27. Foreign ministry official Oliver Blanco said 25 more flights of rescuers are expected in the next 24 hours.
"We thank the international community for its support and solidarity during these moments of uncertainty for Venezuelans," Blanco said.
The United States said it is sending $150 million in aid to Venezuela, along with ships and aircraft to aid in searches.
Among the rescuers to arrive in recent days was a 50-member team from El Salvador, which began working in the beachside neighborhood of Los Corales, Reuters reported. They were using drones, dogs and heat scanners to search for life.
"People have told us they can hear people. They call them on the phone and they answer, and they can hear people screaming and calling," team leader Roberto Gavidia told the outlet.
Contributing: Reuters
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Rescue workers pour into Venezuela as search continues, deaths top 900
Source: “AOL Breaking”
