Venezuela Earthquake Toll Rises to 1,450 as Rescuers Pull 33 Survivors from Rubble

Rescuers in Venezuela have pulled 33 people from collapsed buildings over the weekend, offering rare glimmers of hope following twin earthquakes that have killed at least 1,450 people and left tens of thousands missing. Interim President Delcy Rodríguez described the disaster as the "most brutal natural catastrophe" in the country's history.

Among those rescued were two 11-year-old boys, saved separately within hours of each other on Sunday. One of the boys, named Moises, was found buried under roughly three metres of debris. Colombian rescue teams spent six hours on careful extraction work before pulling him to safety — though his mother and sister, found nearby, did not survive.

The magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 earthquakes struck on Wednesday, within just 39 seconds of each other, causing nearly 800 buildings to collapse across the country. The coastal town of Caraballeda has been among the hardest-hit areas, where French and American rescue teams also freed a father and teenage son from rubble on Sunday.

Despite the rescues, hopes of finding more survivors are fading. Aid experts note that the critical 72-hour window following a disaster has now passed. UN Resident Co-ordinator Gianluca Rampolla acknowledged it remains possible to find people alive, but warned that "time is running short."

Frustration is mounting among affected communities, with some residents accusing the government of a slow and disorganised response. One man, Wilber, told journalists he had lost eight relatives — five of whom remain buried — and complained that road closures by authorities had delayed rescue efforts. A firefighter in Caraballeda also warned that dozens of buildings have yet to be searched, adding: "There aren't enough hands."

Thousands of displaced residents are sleeping in their cars or taking refuge at airports and golf courses, avoiding buildings that may still collapse. Ongoing aftershocks continue to hamper rescue operations and unsettle survivors already traumatised by the initial disaster.