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Venezuela earthquakes live updates: Death toll rises to at least 1,400 as searches continue, officials say

Two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela on Wednesday evening.

ByKevin Shalvey and Ivan Pereira
Last Updated: June 27, 2026, 3:10 PM EDT

At least 1,430 people were killed and more than 3,200 were injured as a pair of powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela on Wednesday evening, officials said on Friday.

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

Responders are undertaking "intensive rescue operations" on Thursday, searching for people thought to be under the rubble, acting President Delcy Rodriguez said.

Key Headlines

Here's how the news is developing.
Jun 26, 2026, 6:20 PM EDT

State Department launches 3rd urban search and rescue team

The State Department has taken the rare step of activating a third urban search and rescue team to help with search operations in Venezuela -- deploying a task force from Miami-Dade County, Florida.

Miami-Dade Fire Rescue said its team was "officially activated" by the State Department earlier Friday.

"From the moment we learned of this tragedy, our team has remained on standby, ready to respond. Many in our community have family, friends, and loved ones in Venezuela, making this mission especially meaningful,” Miami-Dade Fire Rescue said in a statement.

The team from Florida will consist of 80 personnel and six canine teams.

-ABC News' Shannon Kingston

Jun 26, 2026, 2:40 PM EDT

Death toll rises to 920

The death toll has risen to 920 and more than 3,300 people are injured, according to Jorge Rodriguez, president of the National Assembly of Venezuela.

More than 50,000 people are listed on the website set up to track missing individuals.

Jun 26, 2026, 2:04 PM EDT

US search teams arrive in Venezuela

The first plane with U.S. search and rescue crews arrived in Venezuela Friday, according to officials.

The 80-member team includes firefighters, doctors and structural engineers as well as search and rescue canines, according to Urban Search and Rescue Virginia Task Force 1.

Virginia Task Force 1 Urban Search and Rescue members are en route to Venezuela deploying 79 Urban Search and Rescue personnel, six K9 teams, and more than 70,000 pounds of specialized rescue and medical equipment.
Virginia Task Force 1 Urban Search and Rescue

The team will being sent to the "hardest-hit areas," according to the U.S. Embassy in Caracas.

"Priorities include establishing a base of operations & working with the Venezuelan authorities to ensure our operations meet their needs," Urban Search and Rescue Virginia Task Force 1 said in an X post.

-ABC News' Cindy Smith and Luis Martinez

Jun 26, 2026, 9:22 AM EDT

At least 589 dead, 2,980 injured in dual quakes, acting president says

At least 589 people were killed and another 2,980 were injured in the two powerful earthquakes that struck Venezuela late on Wednesday, acting President Delcy Rodriguez said in an update on Friday, according to state media.

People search for survivors while others try to salvage belongings in a collapsed building following an earthquake in Catia La Mar, La Guaira state, some 30km north-west of Caracas, June 25, 2026.
Frederico ParraAFP via Getty Images

According to the EFE news agency, at least 18 foreign nationals were among those who were killed in the quakes. The victims reportedly included nine people from Portugal, three from Spain, two from Brazil, two from China and two from Chile.

The country's health minister told state media late on Thursday that at least 4,300 people were injured. It was not immediately clear why the figure Rodriguez gave on Friday was lower.

-ABC News' Jamie Dorrington, Herminia Fernandez and Kevin Shalvey

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