Venezuela earthquakes updates: 3-year-old boy pulled out of rubble after 6 days

Two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela on Wednesday evening.

Last Updated: June 30, 2026, 4:18 PM EDT

At least 1,943 people have died and another 10,571 people were injured from a pair of powerful earthquakes that devastated Venezuela, officials said.

The two quakes -- a 7.2 magnitude one followed just seconds later by a 7.5 -- struck the coast of Venezuela on Wednesday evening, knocking down buildings in Caracas, the capital, and sending residents racing into the street.

Responders are still undertaking rescue operations, searching for people thought to be under the rubble.

Key Headlines

Here's how the news is developing.
Jun 28, 2026, 4:27 PM EDT

US Southern Command posts photos of US military personnel in Venezuela

U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) posted several photos on X Sunday of U.S. military personnel meeting with Venezuelan officials, including Maj. Gen. Kevin J. Jarrard, conducting a survey at the Port of La Guaira.

"The United States stands with the Venezuelan people and has mobilized an unprecedented, large-scale response to support international earthquake relief efforts in the country," the SOUTCOM post said. "The @DeptofWar is supporting the @StateDept-led U.S. response."

U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Kevin J. Jarrard (center, right) and U.S. military personnel coordinate with Venezuelan officials, June 28, 2026, to conduct a port survey at the Port of La Guaira, Venezuela.
U.S. Southern Command

Jarrard was dispatched to Venezuela on Thursday, the day after the two deadly earthquakes, according to SOUTHCOM.

U.S. Marines with Littoral Combat Force-24 and U.S. sailors from the USS Fort Lauderdale deliver critically needed disaster assistance supplies, June 27, 2026, at La Guaira Port, Venezuela.
U.S. Southern Command

Later Sunday, SOUTHCOM also shared a video on X that it said is from a Venezuelan citizen and which shows U.S. Marines marching past a site to assist search and rescue efforts, featuring someone ff camera say “USA, thank you!”

-ABC News' Cindy Smith

Jun 28, 2026, 3:31 PM EDT

Earthquake death toll rises to 1,450, Venezuelan official says

The death toll has increased to 1,450 from last week's twin earthquakes in Venezuela, according to a government official.

National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez posted the update to X on Sunday afternoon, adding that the number of injured is 3,150, which is down from the previously offered number of 3,200.

Rescue workers search through the rubble three days after earthquakes struck Catia La Mar, Venezuela, on June 27, 2026.
Fernando Vergara/AP Photo

Some 12,721 people have been displaced by the earthquakes, Rodriguez also wrote, with 774 buildings affected, 189 of which had collapsed, he said.

Analysis of satellite images by researches at Oregon State University calculated the number of damaged or destroyed buildings at nearly 60,000.

Jun 28, 2026, 11:14 AM EDT

24 countries have sent over 500 tons of supplies, acting president says

Some two dozen countries so far have sent aid to Venezuela in the aftermath of last week's devastating earthquakes, according to the country's acting president.

"We have received support from 24 countries in the international community, which have sent 521 tons of supplies, 86 canine units, and more than 2,741 members of search, rescue, and support personnel, who are already integrated with our teams," Acting President Delcy Rodríguez posted on X Saturday night.

A Dutch rescue team departs from Eindhoven Air Base for Venezuela to provide aid following the earthquakes that struck the country in Eindhoven, Netherlands, June 26, 2026.
Rob Engelaar/EPA/Shutterstock

At least 1,430 people were killed and more than 3,200 injured in Wednesday's pair of powerful earthquakes, according to officials.

-ABC News' Rashid Haddou

Jun 28, 2026, 8:19 AM EDT

Nearly 60,000 buildings damaged or destroyed, researchers say satellite data shows

Researchers estimate nearly 60,000 buildings were damaged or destroyed by the twin earthquakes in Venezuela on June 24th.

Damage analysis of Copernicus Sentinel-1 satellite data by researchers at Oregon State University’s Conflict Ecology lab "estimates approximately 58,870 buildings were likely damaged or destroyed across the affected region, as of the most recent satellite pass on 25 June 2026."

Buildings destroyed by twin earthquakes stand in La Guaira, Venezuela, June 27, 2026.
Matias Delacroix/AP Photo

The analysis is a preliminary "rapid assessment" conducted with the first available images after the earthquakes but gives an early indication as to the scale of the damage, researchers said.

Satellite analysis by the same researchers has previously been used to estimate damage in Ukraine, Gaza, Lebanon and Iran amongst others.

-ABC News' Victoria Beaule

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