Venezuela: International rescue teams join the search for survivors as earthquake deaths surpass 1,400

The death toll continues to rise, while a preliminary assessment estimates the direct physical damage caused by the disaster at $6.7 billion.

At the request of the Venezuelan Government, 44 international urban search and rescue teams, known as USAR, have deployed 2,245 specialists and 140 search dogs to extract possible survivors from collapsed structures and provide initial medical care, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported on Saturday .

OCHA has activated its emergency response mechanisms and is supporting the arrival and coordination of teams in the country.

The rescuers come from Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, Peru and the Dominican Republic; as well as from Germany, Czechia, Spain, the United States, France, Italy, Jordan, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Qatar, the United Kingdom, Serbia, Syria, Switzerland and Türkiye.

As of 27 June, authorities have confirmed that at least 1,430 people have died and another 3,238 have been injured following the devastating twin earthquakes that struck the north of the country on 24 June.

Damage equivalent to six per cent of GDP

While rescue operations continue, a preliminary satellite assessment by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) estimates that the earthquakes caused direct physical damage of about $6.7 billion, equivalent to about six per cent of the country’s gross domestic product.

The estimate, calculated using the Rapid Digital Analysis tool known as RAPIDA, places the range of losses between $4.7 billion and $8.7 billion. This figure includes damage to homes and economic assets, but does not account for damage to infrastructure, disruption of economic activity, or long-term reconstruction costs.

The earthquakes, of magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5, shook northern Venezuela and were felt in the capital Caracas and in the states of La Guaira, Carabobo, Miranda, Yaracuy and Aragua.

According to UNDP , some 8.6 million people were exposed to moderate to severe shaking, including approximately 2.1 million who experienced the strongest tremors. The assessment also estimates that 1.7 million structures were located in the affected areas.

Possible power outages

Satellite data also points to possible power outages in parts of Carabobo, La Guaira, Caracas and Aragua, after detecting a reduction in nighttime lighting following the earthquakes.

“The speed and accuracy of initial assessments are essential for an effective response,” said Luis Francisco Thais, UNDP Resident Representative in Venezuela.

“Tools like RAPIDA help us make faster, evidence-based decisions to support affected communities,” he added.

The agency explained that it will continue to analyze higher-resolution satellite images to support authorities in assessing casualties, displacement, and recovery needs.