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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.

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.

6:23 AM EDT

Search for quake's survivors continues, approaches 72 hours, acting president says

Emergency response teams from Venezuelan and other countries were working early on Saturday, combing the rubble for survivors after two powerful earthquakes struck the capital and nearby cities on Wednesday evening, the acting president said.

Residents and rescue workers search through the rubble two days after an earthquake struck in La Guaira, Venezuela, Friday, June 26, 2026.
Matias Delacroix/AP Photo

Acting President Delcy Rodriguiz said in an update at 1 a.m. local time that electric services had been restored to about 60% of what they had been prior to the quakes.

More than 14,000 officials were working in La Guaira, a hard-hit area north of Caracas, the capital, Rodriguiz said. Access to that area remained restricted as military and other officials searched the wreckage, she said.

A "saturation" of food and water had been surging into areas where supplies were needed, she added.

Colombian rescue workers search through the rubble three days after an earthquake struck in La Guaira, Venezuela, early Saturday, June 27, 2026.
Matias Delacroix/AP Photo

At least 30 search teams from various countries were searching the rubble in Venezuela on Friday, according to the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, which said it had organized at least 17 teams.

The foreign teams included more than 1,600 personnel and more than 100 dogs, the agency said.

"After an earthquake, the first 72 hours are critical to saving lives," the agency said on Friday, adding that in the search for survivors "every second matters."

-ABC News' Herminia Fernández and Rashid Haddou

Jun 26, 2026, 10:08 PM EDT

Venezuelan President Delcy Rodriguez says Trump and Rubio called to offer support

Venezuelan President Delcy Rodriguez said on social media Friday that President Donald Trump and Sec. of State Marco Rubio have reached out in support following the deadly earthquakes.

"I received a call from President Donald Trump and the Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, who reaffirmed the United States Government’s support during this difficult time for Venezuela," Rodriguez said.

"They reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the response efforts by sending rescue workers, specialist equipment, support for temporary shelters and humanitarian aid for the affected families. We are deeply grateful for this gesture of friendship and cooperation," Rodriguez added.

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.

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