Morning scenes at site of building collapse in Caracas after earthquakes hit Venezuela

(26 Jun 2026) RESTRICTION SUMMARY: ASSOCIATED PRESS Caracas, Venezuela - 26 June 2026 1. Various of cordoned off area of destroyed buildings 2. Rescue teams crossing the road as excavator clears rubble in background 3. Excavator clearing rubble as officers from the Bolivarian National Guard (GNB) secure the premises STORYLINE: Excavators were seen clearing rubble in the streets of Venezuelan capital Caracas, early morning on Friday after a pair of deadly earthquakes caused overwhelming destruction across the country. Many people were stunned as they saw buildings reduced to skeletons, furniture hanging out of windows and helicopters circling overhead. In downtown Caracas, hundreds spent the night huddled in parks, parking lots and other open spaces. Buildings were flattened and streets cracked open. 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 International Organization for Migration said that up to 6.76 million people in Venezuela could be affected by the quakes, some 2 million of them in Caracas alone. 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. The U.S. Geological Survey said both earthquakes were centered near Moron on the Caribbean coast, about 170 kilometers (105 miles) west of Caracas. The natural disaster is the latest challenge for acting President Delcy Rodríguez, the former vice president who took office in January after the capture and removal from power of then-President Nicolás Maduro by the United States. Rodríguez declared a state of emergency in an address to the nation late Wednesday. She said the government was creating a $200 million reconstruction fund for damaged hospitals and homes. =========================================================== Clients are reminded to adhere to all listed restrictions and to check the terms of their licence agreements. For further assistance, please contact the AP Archive on: Tel +44(0)2074827482 Email: [email protected]. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...