Venezuela Quake Casualties
Spanish Deaths in Venezuela Earthquakes Rise to 26; 150 Remain Missing
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The number of Spanish nationals killed in Venezuela's devastating double earthquake has risen to 26, with 150 still missing and 12 located alive under the rubble, Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares confirmed on July 1. The twin quakes — magnitudes 7.5 and 7.2 — struck the central Venezuelan coast on June 24, flattening buildings across La Guaira and northern Caracas in one of the region's worst seismic events in decades, according to Europa Press.
The total death toll across Venezuela has climbed to 1,943, with more than 10,500 injured, according to Cadena SER. Spain has deployed its Military Emergencies Unit (UME) and a field hospital to the disaster zone. A repatriation flight carrying 92 Spaniards landed in Madrid on July 1.
Twin Quakes Collapse Buildings Across La Guaira
The two earthquakes hit within hours of each other on June 24, centered near the Caracas–La Guaira axis. The area sits on the boundary between the Caribbean and South American tectonic plates. A double strike above magnitude 7.0 is historically rare for the region. Rescue workers from the UME described the scene in Caraballeda as 'apocalyptic,' working 24-hour shifts with search dogs to detect heartbeats beneath concrete slabs, RTVE reported.
Many casualties came from the collapse of residential buildings not built to modern earthquake standards, according to La Vanguardia. A magnitude 4.6 aftershock struck on June 29, complicating rescue efforts. The Port of La Guaira, Venezuela's main maritime gateway, was heavily damaged, threatening supply chains across the country.
26 Spaniards Dead, 12 Still Trapped Under Rubble
The Spanish death toll has jumped from 17 on June 28 to 26 by July 1. Some wire reports from EFE put the figure as high as 29, reflecting real-time identification of remains. Minister Albares said Spain will stay until the last person is reached. 'While there is the slightest chance of rescuing someone alive — or even recovering the bodies — Spain will be there,' he told RTVE.
Spain's emergency line handled 635 calls from worried families. The missing count briefly dipped to 138 on June 29 as phone networks were restored in some areas, but rose back to 150 by July 1. Venezuela is home to between 150,000 and 200,000 Spanish nationals, one of the largest Spanish communities in Latin America, according to El Nacional.
Spain Sends Rescue Teams, Queen Letizia Sees Them Off
Spain committed €1 million in emergency aid and sent rescue specialists from six autonomous communities. The START field hospital — known as the 'Red Jackets' team — was declared fully operational on July 1 in the affected area, Europa Press reported. Queen Letizia personally saw the AECID medical team off at Madrid-Barajas Airport, wishing them well in 'difficult and harsh conditions,' according to EFE.
Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yván Gil maintained direct contact with Albares to speed the arrival of heavy rescue machinery. Despite past diplomatic tensions between Madrid and Caracas, both governments have set aside differences to coordinate the response — what analysts call 'disaster diplomacy.'
Rescue Window Closing as Recovery Phase Begins
Experts from the International Federation of the Red Cross warned that the critical 'golden window' for finding survivors under rubble is closing. The focus is shifting from rescue to recovery and stabilization. Venezuelan hospitals, already under strain before the quakes, are now overwhelmed, according to La Vanguardia. Rural areas remain cut off without water or power, and local outlets suggest the official death toll of 1,943 may be a significant undercount.
Spain's Foreign Ministry expects a surge in permanent returns as Spaniards who lost homes or businesses seek to relocate. The 92 Spaniards on the July 1 repatriation flight are among the first of what officials expect will be many more in the coming weeks, Europa Press reported.
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