More than 200 people are still believed trapped under the rubble of around 250 collapsed or damaged buildings.3 min readJun 26, 2026 02:26 PM IST First published on: Jun 26, 2026 at 02:26 PM IST ShareWhatsapptwitterFacebookWorkers remove rubble from a collapsed building in Caracas, Venezuela. (Photo: AP)Hours after two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela’s northern coast, rescue teams were still pulling people out alive from the wreckage through Thursday night including a woman and her father retrieved from rubble near the Coral Beach building in La Guaira state.In a moment that stood apart from the surrounding devastation, a woman gave birth in the rubble as rescue efforts continued around her. A powerful moment from VenezuelaA woman has reportedly given birth in the rubble after the earthquake, as rescue efforts continue in badly hit areas.Even in the middle of the destruction, life carries on.Writer: Lynnpic.twitter.com/MbsJrRgtt2— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) June 26, 2026What exactly happenedThe two earthquakes struck within 40 seconds of each other on Wednesday evening. The first measured 7.2 in magnitude, the second 7.5. Both were shallow, which amplified the destruction at ground level and brought down buildings across northern Venezuela. The death toll has reached 235, with more than 4,300 injured and thousands still missing. A powerful moment from VenezuelaA woman has reportedly given birth in the rubble after the earthquake, as rescue efforts continue in badly hit areas.Even in the middle of the destruction, life carries on.Writer: Lynnpic.twitter.com/MbsJrRgtt2— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) June 26, 2026La Guaira, on the Caribbean coast north of Caracas, took the worst of it. Venezuela’s main international airport there remains closed due to structural damage, slowing incoming aid and rescue teams.The search continuesRescue teams worked through Thursday night across La Guaira and Caracas. More than 200 people are still believed trapped under the rubble of around 250 collapsed or damaged buildings. Hundreds of thousands remain officially missing.Also read Venezuela earthquake: Rescuers race against time to find survivors as death toll hits 235Search and rescue professionals work to a 72-hour survival window the period when chances of finding people alive remain highest. Teams are working with that deadline in mind.Rescue teams pull a woman and her father alive from rubble near Coral Beach building in Venezuela's La Guaira state️ Massive 7.5-magnitude earthquake strikes northern Venezuela after a 7.2 foreshock 40 seconds earlier pic.twitter.com/oTTYl5bKYh— Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) June 25, 2026US rescue units from Fairfax County, Virginia, and Los Angeles County have deployed. Mexico and the Dominican Republic have also sent teams. Acting President Delcy Rodríguez declared La Guaira a disaster zone and appealed to businesses to release heavy construction equipment for the effort.Story continues below this adFamilies posted handwritten missing-person lists on walls and social media. Hundreds spent the night in Caracas parks, too afraid to go back inside.Rescue teams pull a woman and her father alive from rubble near Coral Beach building in Venezuela's La Guaira state️ Massive 7.5-magnitude earthquake strikes northern Venezuela after a 7.2 foreshock 40 seconds earlier pic.twitter.com/oTTYl5bKYh— Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) June 25, 2026“I lost everything,” said Cristian Carreño, staring at his damaged apartment building. “There are people still inside, I imagine, that couldn’t get out.”Rescue teams say they will keep searching.AdvertisementLoading Recommendations...AdvertisementLive BlogIndia vs Ireland Live Score, 1st T20: Shreyas Iyer’s IND will lock horns with Lorcan Tucker’s IRE in Belfast2 minutes agoCBSE Class 10 Result 2026 Second Board Exam Live Updates: Result releasing this month5 minutes agoWelcome to the Jungle Movie Review and Release LIVE Updates: Akshay Kumar film ‘a wild comedy ride,’ say X reviews; earns Rs 5.75 cr5 minutes agoVenezuela Earthquake LIVE Updates: Death toll rises to 235, over 11,000 missing13 minutes agoIndia News LIVE Updates, 26 June 2026: Champat Rai, top official of Ram temple trust resigns after alleged donation theft13 minutes ago