{"id":1331,"date":"2026-06-28T18:23:02","date_gmt":"2026-06-28T18:23:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/uscnews.org\/?p=1331"},"modified":"2026-06-28T18:23:02","modified_gmt":"2026-06-28T18:23:02","slug":"teams-scramble-to-locate-survivors-four-days-after-venezuela-earthquakes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/uscnews.org\/?p=1331","title":{"rendered":"Teams scramble to locate survivors four days after Venezuela earthquakes"},"content":{"rendered":"

Rescue workers carry a man rescued from the rubble of a building that collapsed in the earthquakes that struck La Guaira, Venezuela, Sunday, June 28, 2026. (AP Photo\/Matias Delacroix)<\/small><\/p>\n

2026-06-28T17:40:50Z<\/p>\n

LA GUAIRA, Venezuela (AP) \u2014 Efforts by local and international rescue teams to pull survivors from the rubble grew increasingly desperate in Venezuela<\/a><\/span> on Sunday, four days after two powerful earthquakes<\/a><\/span> shook the northern state of La Guaira.<\/p>\n

The government reported more than 1,400 dead from the quakes Saturday as it faced growing criticism from Venezuelans that its response was inadequate and was overshadowed by civilian-led efforts<\/a><\/span> to search for loved ones buried under collapsed buildings<\/a><\/span>. Virtual databases used by families to report and find loved ones say thousands are still missing.<\/p>\n

Acting President Delcy Rodriguez<\/a><\/span> said on Sunday that 33 people had been rescued the day before, although she did not provide an updated death toll.<\/p>\n

A U.S. rescue team from Virginia pulled a man and his son from the ruins Sunday morning and carried them carefully on a black tarp into an ambulance. Masses of people gathered to watch the rescue as the survivors \u2014 covered in dust \u2014 were hydrated through an IV.<\/p>\n

Aid agencies consider the first 48 to 72 hours after a natural disaster as crucial for retrieving people alive, though that can be extended if they have access to food and water. More than 2,200 rescue workers from across the world had arrived by Saturday, the U.N. said, and more were still arriving.<\/p>\n

As messages of solidarity with Venezuelans flooded in from across the world, Pope Leo offered prayers for \u201cthe eternal rest of the deceased.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLikewise, I express my gratitude and encouragement to all those who are generously working in the search and rescue efforts,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

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