Venezuela earthquake death toll passes 1,700
The death toll from the Venezuela earthquakes has surpassed 1,700, with growing anger over the government's response.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
The death toll from the devastating earthquakes in Venezuela has surpassed 1,700, with the United Nations warning that the final number could reach 10,000. The two quakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude, struck days ago, leaving a trail of destruction and despair. In the coastal state of La Guaira, residents are expressing growing anger over what they see as a slow and inadequate government response. Many survivors are still holding out hope for missing loved ones, but the grim reality is setting in as rescue efforts continue.
On the ground, the situation is dire. A man working in the rubble said, 'We're working like animals,' reflecting the frustration of those who feel abandoned. Huge blocks of social housing have been reduced to piles of rubble, and families are begging for more machinery to help dig through the debris. One rescuer described the emotional toll: 'I get home, I take a shower and I still hear screams, I still smell this smell.'
Amid the tragedy, there have been moments of hope. A 21-year-old man was pulled alive from the wreckage after 106 hours, a rare rescue that has lifted spirits. But the aftershocks continue to terrify residents. A 5.1 magnitude tremor sent people fleeing from their homes once again. The scene is one of grief and desperation, with the international community watching closely as Venezuela struggles to cope with the scale of the disaster.
On screen
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Key Claims
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Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
Sky News focused on the human suffering and anger on the ground in La Guaira, using vivid, emotional reporting from correspondent Martha Kellner. The tone was critical of the government's response, highlighting the frustration of survivors and the lack of resources. The report also included a rare rescue story to balance the grim narrative.
- “We're working like animals, he says.”
- “I get home, I take a shower and I still hear screams, I still smell this smell.”
- “These are bodies that you found. Just minutes ago, he retrieved the bodies of his daughter and two grandchildren, four years old and 11 months.”
Broadcast Timeline
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