Earthquake survivor shares story as Venezuela death toll continues to rise

The human cost of the devastating earthquakes that struck Venezuela's Caribbean coast continues to grow as rescue teams search through the rubble for survivors and victims.

The human cost of the devastating earthquakes that struck Venezuela’s Caribbean coast continues to grow as rescue teams search through the rubble for survivors and victims. Authorities say the official death toll has risen to nearly 3,000, while thousands of people remain homeless and many families are still searching for missing loved ones.

Among the survivors is Juan Zapata, who spent more than two days trapped beneath the ruins of his apartment building after the powerful earthquakes struck on June 24. Zapata had just finished dinner and was preparing to take a shower when the violent shaking threw him across his fifth floor apartment. When rescuers finally reached him after two days and seven hours, he was shocked to learn that the building had completely collapsed, leaving him buried in what had become the lower basement.

Zapata is now recovering at a temporary field hospital in La Guaira, one of the areas hardest hit by the disaster. He suffered several broken ribs along with deep cuts and injuries to his legs. Despite losing his home and all of his belongings, he remains grateful to have survived. He said his greatest concern now is reconnecting with his daughter in the United States and his sister in Canada after losing his mobile phone and personal documents during the collapse.

Government officials say nearly 30,000 emergency personnel, supported by more than 3,000 international rescue workers, are taking part in relief operations across the affected region. More than 16,000 people have been left without homes and are now living in temporary shelters or emergency tent camps. At the same time, unofficial estimates suggest that more than 41,000 people are still unaccounted for as search operations continue.

The field hospital where Zapata is receiving treatment has become an important centre for emergency medical care. Operated by the humanitarian organisation Samaritan’s Purse with support from international partners, the facility has already treated hundreds of patients and carried out dozens of surgeries. Doctors say that while many of the early cases involved severe injuries caused by collapsing buildings, medical teams are now focusing on follow up care and helping communities recover from the disaster.

Medical officials expect the temporary hospital to gradually transition into a community healthcare centre once the immediate emergency response comes to an end. International aid workers also plan to leave medical equipment and supplies behind so local health services can continue treating patients after foreign teams depart.

While rescue efforts continue, criticism of the government’s response has intensified. Interim President Delcy Rodriguez has rejected accusations that authorities reacted too slowly, insisting that emergency services responded as quickly as possible. However, many residents and volunteers working at disaster sites say help arrived late and that shortages of food, medical supplies and heavy machinery slowed rescue operations during the crucial first days after the earthquakes.

At one badly damaged housing complex in La Guaira, volunteers continue to dig through collapsed buildings in search of those still missing. Among them is Miguel Poleo, who has spent days searching for his stepdaughter and her family. So far, the only trace he has found is the family’s dog buried beneath the rubble. Although he fears his relatives may not have survived, he says he will remain at the site until their bodies are recovered so his family can finally lay them to rest.

Across the disaster zone, thousands of volunteers have joined rescue efforts alongside emergency workers, showing determination to help affected communities despite the enormous challenges. As hopes of finding more survivors fade, the focus is gradually shifting toward recovery while families continue to cope with heartbreaking losses and the difficult task of rebuilding their lives.