Race to find survivors after Venezuela's devastating twin earthquakes

La Guaira, Venezuela — In cities across northern Venezuela, neighbors helped each other dig through rubble to search for loved ones on Thursday after powerful back-to-back earthquakes that officials say killed more than 230 people and left thousands injured the night before. The official death toll rose to around 235 late Thursday, with at least 4,300 people injured, Venezuela Health Minister Carlos Alvarado told state media. The number of casualties is expected to climb with thousands reported missing and frantic rescue efforts continuing. The 7.2- and 7.5-magnitude earthquakes that struck Wednesday evening were among the strongest in Venezuela in more than a century and was felt throughout the region. People inspect a damaged home following earthquakes in Catia La Mar, La Guaira state, Venezuela, June 25, 2026. Federico PARRA/AFP/Getty The injured were pulled out covered in dust and blood, among them children and animals. Venezuelan state TV showed dramatic images of rescues, including a woman who was trapped under a cement slab with only a bare foot poking out before rescuers slid her out alive. But few government search teams were initially seen outside Caracas. The coastal region of La Guaira, north of the capital Caracas, suffered some of the heaviest damage and casualties. The country's main airport is there and was closed due to damage, complicating aid efforts. …