Venezuela Earthquake Leaves Thousands Still Missing

Concerns continue to mount in Venezuela following a series of powerful earthquakes that struck the country on Wednesday, with authorities now reporting that more than 7,000 people remain unaccounted for.

A dedicated missing-persons tracking website has listed 7,381 individuals as missing, according to information shared on social media platform X. The figures were recorded up to approximately 2:45 a.m. local time, and have been cited in reports by international news agencies, including Reuters. Many of those listed are feared to be trapped beneath collapsed buildings and debris in areas worst affected by the tremors.

The disaster unfolded after two strong earthquakes hit within a short period, triggering widespread destruction across multiple regions. Rescue operations have been launched, but difficult terrain, damaged infrastructure, and communication disruptions are hampering efforts to reach survivors.

Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodríguez has urged citizens to report missing persons and structural damage through the government’s official digital platform, known as “VenApp”. Authorities say the system is intended to help centralise information, speed up rescue coordination, and identify urgent humanitarian needs.

As of the latest updates, at least 32 deaths have been confirmed, with several hundred people reported injured. Emergency services continue to work through collapsed buildings and unstable structures in search of survivors. Officials have cautioned that casualty figures may still rise as more remote areas are reached and assessments continue.

The scale of the potential disaster has also drawn international attention. The United States Geological Survey has warned that the death toll could ultimately range between 10,000 and 100,000, depending on the extent of structural failure and population exposure in the affected zones. Its assessment suggests a 44 per cent probability that fatalities could exceed 10,000, while there is also a 30 per cent probability that the number of deaths could surpass 100,000.

The agency has further highlighted the risk of extensive damage spreading across a wide geographical area, warning that aftershocks and secondary structural collapses could compound the humanitarian crisis. Rescue teams remain on high alert as aftershocks continue to be felt in several regions, adding further uncertainty to an already volatile situation.