The death toll from the devastating twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela on Wednesday has risen to 235, with over 4,300 people injured and more than 39,000 still missing, according to Venezuelan authorities. Rescue teams continue to pull survivors from the rubble even as fears grow that the final numbers could be much higher.

The powerful quakes hit on a national holiday, when many were indoors watching football matches. The worst-affected region is the northern coastal state of La Guaira, where over 100 buildings have collapsed and more than 70,000 families have been impacted. Local media reported voices still being heard from under debris, giving faint hope amid the destruction.

In a swift show of solidarity, India has launched ‘Operation Amistad’ to support the earthquake-hit nation. Two Indian Air Force C-17 aircraft have been dispatched carrying an Indian Army field hospital unit and more than 35 tonnes of relief supplies. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar stated that India stands with the Venezuelan people and is committed to providing all possible assistance during this crisis.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken to Venezuela’s Acting President Delcy Rodríguez and conveyed India’s support. The move comes as several countries rush aid and rescue teams to the South American nation.

International response has been fast. Rescue teams from El Salvador, Switzerland, Mexico, Chile, Ecuador, and others have reached Venezuela. The United States has sent warships, aircraft, and announced $150 million in aid, while also temporarily easing some sanctions to facilitate relief. China, Brazil, Türkiye, and Spain are among those sending personnel, equipment, and supplies. The UN has released emergency funds and mobilised search teams, with UNICEF highlighting the urgent needs of thousands of affected children.

On the ground, the situation remains grim. Many residents spent the night in open parks and streets, afraid to return to damaged buildings due to strong aftershocks. Internet disruptions have further complicated rescue and coordination efforts. In La Guaira, families have been seen digging through rubble with bare hands in desperate attempts to find loved ones.

Authorities have declared a state of emergency. Acting President Delcy Rodríguez has been visiting affected areas, including Macuto, to meet survivors. The government is increasing emergency personnel in the worst-hit zones.

The earthquakes have struck at a difficult time for Venezuela, already grappling with political and economic challenges. Experts warn the disaster could exacerbate existing vulnerabilities. The US Geological Survey has indicated a significant probability that the toll could rise further.

Several foreign nationals are among the dead and missing, including citizens from Spain, Brazil, China, Italy, and Portugal. Spain alone has confirmed two deaths with around 80 nationals still unaccounted for. Starlink has offered free satellite internet for a month to help restore connectivity in the affected regions.

Rescue operations are expected to intensify in the coming days with more international teams arriving. Voices of hope persist as one woman was pulled alive from rubble more than 24 hours after the quakes. However, with many buildings reduced to rubble, the coming hours and days will be critical.

India’s Operation Amistad reflects the country’s growing role in global humanitarian efforts. The supplies and medical team are expected to bolster on-ground medical care and relief distribution in the coming days.

As Venezuela battles one of its worst natural disasters in recent history, the focus remains on saving as many lives as possible. Further updates on the rescue efforts and rising casualty figures are awaited as the situation continues to evolve.

The 7.5 magnitude quake is the strongest to hit the country since 1900; international rescue teams are being deployed as acting president declares a state of emergency.

At least 164 people have been confirmed dead and nearly 1,000 injured after two powerful earthquakes — measuring 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude — struck Venezuela on Wednesday evening, reducing buildings to rubble and triggering widespread panic across the capital and coastal regions.

Acting President Delcy Rodríguez, who announced the death toll on Thursday, described the situation as a "true tragedy." The number of casualties is expected to rise significantly. A website tracking missing persons has listed over 7,380 people as unaccounted for as of Thursday afternoon.

The first quake struck about 160 km west of Caracas at a depth of 13 km. Less than a minute later, a second, stronger tremor of 7.5 magnitude hit near Morón at a depth of just 10 km. The shallower depth meant more intense ground shaking, causing severe damage across a wide area.

This is Venezuela's strongest earthquake event in 126 years, surpassing any since the magnitude 7.7 quake of 1900.

La Guaira Becomes 'Disaster Zone'

The port city of La Guaira, north of Caracas, has been the worst-hit area. Officials said at least 15 buildings collapsed there, with rescue teams continuing to search for survivors. Acting President Rodríguez described the area as a "disaster zone."

In Caracas, several residential buildings collapsed, including a five-flat structure in the San Bernardino district. The Chacao municipality reported four building collapses and at least one death, with 30 other structures deemed structurally compromised.

Rescue workers have pulled several survivors from the debris. Three children were rescued alive from a collapsed building in La Guaira. In the Baruta municipality, search operations were completed after three people were confirmed dead in the Las Minas de Baruta parish.

Internet Disrupted, Gas Supply Cut

Internet connectivity across Venezuela dropped to 59% of normal levels shortly after the quakes, according to monitoring group NetBlocks. The disruption, linked to power outages and infrastructure damage, has hampered information flow from affected areas.

Venezuela's interior minister said gas supplies were temporarily cut off as a precaution while authorities assess damage to prevent gas-related accidents.

The Simon Bolívar International Airport in Maiquetía sustained significant damage and remains closed. Schools have been ordered closed nationwide, with some buildings being converted into relief shelters.

USGS Warns Death Toll Could Cross 10,000

The US Geological Survey has issued a red alert — the highest warning level — estimating that fatalities could range between 10,000 and 100,000. The agency puts a 44% chance that the death toll exceeds 10,000 and a 30% chance it surpasses 100,000.

The estimate is based on the earthquake's magnitude, depth, ground shaking, population exposure, and comparisons to similar past events. The final toll will depend on factors like building quality and the time of day the quake struck.

International Response Pours In

US President Donald Trump pledged "a whole-of-government response" to the disaster, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio saying it will be "big, fast, and effective."

Several nations have offered assistance:

- El Salvador: 300 rescuers and 50 tonnes of equipment ready for deployment

- Germany: Six A400M military transport aircraft on standby

- Switzerland: 80 rescue workers and 18 tonnes of equipment being sent

- EU: Copernicus satellite surveillance activated

- UN: Specialist rescue teams certified by the UN are en route

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow and said India stands ready to assist in every possible way.

A City in Shock

Luis Alejandro Ruiz Garcia, a 25-year-old Caracas resident, described scenes of devastation. He received a Google earthquake alert moments before violent shaking cracked a wall in his home. "When we went downstairs, it looked like something out of a horror movie. We had to climb over the rubble from the building. You could hear the banging and the screams of people calling for help."

Another resident, Maria Alejandra, told Al Jazeera: "The walls had fallen, the bars were broken. I only saw one family make it out."

The earthquake struck in the evening, and rescue teams have been working through the rubble all night. The government has declared a nationwide state of emergency.

Japan Also Hit by 6.9 Magnitude Quake

In a separate development, a magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck Japan's northeastern coast. Authorities reported no tsunami threat and no major damage or casualties so far. Bullet train services between Tokyo and Shin-Aomori were temporarily suspended as a precaution.

Trump's '51st State' Remark on Venezuela Ignites Diplomatic Row

US President Donald Trump has triggered a fresh diplomatic storm by suggesting Venezuela could become the 51st state of the United States, posting a graphic on Truth Social depicting the South American nation as such while en route to a summit in China.

The provocative remark, coming days after similar comments to Fox News, has drawn a firm rejection from Venezuela’s acting president, who insisted the country’s sovereignty remains non-negotiable. The episode highlights shifting US-Venezuela ties following political changes in Caracas.

 Trump floats statehood idea

President Trump shared the eye-catching image on his social media platform late on Monday, just as he was travelling for high-level talks with Chinese leaders. The post builds on his earlier interview with Fox News, where he said he was “seriously considering” integrating Venezuela into the US, pointing to its vast oil reserves estimated in the trillions of dollars.

Trump has repeatedly highlighted Venezuela’s strategic importance, citing both its energy resources and recent political realignments after the removal of former President Nicolás Maduro. Officials in Washington view improved access to Venezuelan oil as a potential boost for global energy markets.

Caracas rejects proposal outright

Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodríguez pushed back strongly against any notion of annexation. Speaking in The Hague at the International Court of Justice amid an ongoing territorial dispute with Guyana, she declared that Venezuela “has no plans” to become a US state.

“We are a free nation, not a colony,” Rodríguez said, reaffirming the country’s commitment to defending its “integrity, sovereignty, independence and history.” She stressed that while relations with Washington have seen some improvement, national independence remains untouchable.

Improved ties amid tensions

Rodríguez’s government has taken steps to mend fences with the United States since assuming office, including opening up the oil and mining sectors to greater foreign investment. Oil production has reportedly climbed, reaching levels not seen in years, with companies like ExxonMobil showing renewed interest.

Yet her remarks in The Hague underscore persistent sensitivities. Venezuelan officials appear keen on economic cooperation but wary of any perceived threat to sovereignty, a stance rooted in the country’s long history of resisting external influence.

Uranium removal marks security win

In a separate but related development, the US Department of Energy announced the successful removal of 13.5 kg of enriched uranium from Venezuela’s RV-1 research reactor. The joint operation involved US, UK, and Venezuelan authorities, with the material transported securely to North America.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) described the effort as a “complex and sensitive operation” and a significant step for regional and global nuclear security. Officials called it a “global security success,” reducing risks associated with surplus highly enriched uranium.

The reactor, which once supported physics research, had seen its operations wind down decades ago, leaving the material as surplus.

Broader implications for region

The controversy arrives at a delicate moment for Latin America. Trump’s comments have divided opinions, with some US lawmakers hailing potential energy gains while critics warn of imperial overreach. In Venezuela, public reactions appear mixed, with many citizens focused more on economic recovery than abstract sovereignty debates.

Analysts note that while turning Venezuela into a US state faces massive legal and practical hurdles — requiring congressional approval and clear consent — the rhetoric itself has already strained diplomatic channels.

What lies ahead

As Trump continues his engagements in China, eyes remain on how Washington and Caracas manage the fallout. Venezuelan authorities are expected to continue balancing economic engagement with firm assertions of independence. The uranium removal, meanwhile, stands as a tangible example of ongoing security cooperation between the two sides.

For now, the “51st state” remark has put the spotlight firmly on US-Venezuela relations, testing the limits of their evolving partnership.