Venezuela earthquakes kill 1,450, injure 3,100, spark aid

A pair of devastating earthquakes has killed more than 1,450 people in Venezuela, with tens of thousands more missing and rescue teams racing against time to find survivors. The twin tremors, measuring magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5, struck just 39 seconds apart on Wednesday, June 24, along the country's northern coast, causing catastrophic damage in the state of La Guaira and the capital, Caracas.

The death toll, reported by National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez on Sunday, June 28, stands at over 1,450, with more than 3,100 injured. Officials stated that at least 189 buildings have completely collapsed, with hundreds more severely damaged. The United Nations has estimated the physical damage at approximately $6.7 billion, calling the disaster the most powerful to hit Venezuela in over a century.

Rescue operations have continued despite the passing of the critical 72-hour window for finding survivors. On Monday, June 29, a magnitude 4.6 aftershock rattled the disaster zone, sending residents into the streets but causing no immediate new damage. Amid the overwhelming loss, there have been moments of hope. Over the weekend, a 21-year-old man, Aaron Levi Cantillo, was rescued after...