June 27, 2026 / 8:05 AM EDT
/ CBS/AP
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The situation is growing more desperate by the hour in Venezuela as people dig through the rubble of collapsed homes and apartment buildings three days after twin earthquakes struck the country, leaving hundreds dead and thousands trapped. Venezuelans took the search for missing loved ones into their own hands, citing a scarcity of government rescuers, as the human toll of Wednesday's quakes climbed. Aid agencies consider the first 48 to 72 hours to be a crucial time frame to retrieve people alive, though that can be extended if they have access to food and water.Venezuelans reported seeing few state rescue teams in the hardest-hit areas, despite authorities projecting an image of a robust government response. Acting President Delcy Rodríguez said the Venezuelan government was mounting a full response during these "critical hours for rescuing people alive" and welcomed the arrival of international rescuers and humanitarian aid. Diana Sandrano told "CBS Saturday Morning" her brother has been missing for two days. The building where he lived was destroyed in the quakes. Rescue workers and search dogs scoured the building as she prayed for a miracle. Sandrano said she will search for him "as long as it takes." "He deserves to live and have a future," Sandrano said, after a day of searching. More than 200 people have been rescued so far, the government of Caracas said. But about 51,000 remain missing. The figure likely includes people who have been unable to communicate with loved ones due to the lack of cellphone signals, and some reports may be duplicates. The International Organization for Migration said up to 6.76 million people in Venezuela could be affected by the earthquakes, including some 2 million in Caracas alone.
