A double earthquake struck northern Venezuela on Wednesday, killing more than 1,000 people and leaving thousands more injured [1], [6].
The disaster represents a major humanitarian crisis in the coastal state of La Guaira, where the government has restricted access to facilitate emergency operations [2].
Venezuelan authorities reported 1,430 deaths [1] and 3,238 injuries [1]. However, other reports provide different figures, with Cadena SER citing 920 deaths [6] and 3,360 injuries [6]. The seismic activity involved a double earthquake with a magnitude greater than seven [2], [5].
The Spanish Foreign Ministry is tracking a significant number of its citizens affected by the disaster. According to the ministry, six Spaniards have died [3], [6] and 133 remain missing [3], [6]. Rescue teams have saved 14 Spanish nationals who were trapped under rubble [3].
Reports on the casualties have fluctuated. While some early reports from the Spanish Foreign Minister suggested no Spaniards were affected [4], and other sources cited five deaths [7], the ministry later elevated the confirmed death toll to six [3].
Jorge Rodríguez, president of Venezuela's National Assembly, has been involved in the response efforts as the country grapples with the scale of the destruction [1]. The focus remains on the coastal regions where the impact was most severe, particularly in La Guaira [2], [5].
“Six Spaniards have died and 133 remain missing.”
The disparity in casualty figures between Venezuelan authorities and international reporting highlights the challenges of data collection during active rescue operations in restricted zones. The high number of missing Spanish nationals suggests a significant presence of European citizens in the affected coastal region, which may increase diplomatic pressure for international aid and coordinated search-and-rescue efforts.
