A day after the United States Geological Survey (USGS) warned that the death toll from Venezuela’s devastating twin earthquakes could eventually exceed 100,000, Venezuelan authorities released another alarming update, reporting that nearly 40,000 people are currently missing following the disaster.

According to official statements, rescue teams have so far recovered 235 bodies, while more than 4,300 people have been injured. Authorities said they have no information on the whereabouts of approximately 40,000 individuals, raising fears that many may still be trapped beneath collapsed buildings or remain unaccounted for in the aftermath of the disaster.

Officials reported that the coastal city of La Guaira suffered some of the worst destruction, with nearly 100 large buildings collapsing. Across the country, more than 250 multi-storey buildings have reportedly been destroyed, leaving thousands of families homeless and severely hampering rescue operations.

As search-and-rescue efforts continue around the clock, emergency teams are racing against time to locate survivors buried under the rubble. Experts warn that the chances of finding people alive diminish significantly as more time passes after a major earthquake.

The scale of the tragedy has prompted a massive international response. Within hours of the disaster, the United States deployed military and humanitarian support to Venezuela and announced $150 million in emergency assistance. Several other countries, including Spain, France, Brazil, Mexico, Germany, Switzerland, and the Netherlands, have also dispatched rescue personnel, medical teams, relief supplies, food, medicines, and emergency equipment to assist the affected population.

With thousands of rescuers working across the disaster zone, authorities continue to assess the full extent of the devastation. Officials say the number of casualties and missing persons could change significantly as rescue operations progress and more information becomes available.