local
Rescuers race to find survivors trapped in Venezuela quake rubble as death toll climbs
By Megan Janetsky, Andry Rincón and Juan Pablo Arraez | The Associated Press at NBC Los Angeles (KNBC)
· June 26, 2026
· 7 min read
In cities across northern Venezuela, neighbors helped each other dig through rubble to search for loved ones, after back-to-back earthquakes killed at least 589 people and left thousands injured.
Acting President Delcy Rodríguez announced the new toll early Friday, surrounded by government and...
Key takeaway ” She said the state of La Guaira has been hardest hit by the 7.
Why this matters in The Los Angeles
The devastating earthquakes in Venezuela serve as a stark reminder for Los Angeles residents of the importance of earthquake preparedness. As a city prone to seismic activity, Los Angeles can learn from the rescue efforts and challenges faced by Venezuelan responders. The closure of the main airport in La Guaira due to damage highlights the potential for disruptions to critical infrastructure, a concern also relevant to Los Angeles' own transportation hubs. Furthermore, the images of neighbors helping each other dig through rubble underscore the value of community resilience and emergency planning in the face of natural disasters. As Los Angeles continues to develop its own emergency response strategies, the Venezuelan earthquakes offer a sobering lesson in the need for robust preparedness and swift action in the aftermath of a disaster.
About this story
Original reporting by NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) . The Los Angeles surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 26, 2026 ·
Source: NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) ·
Reading time: 7 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? In cities across northern Venezuela, neighbors helped each other dig through rubble to search for loved ones, after back-to-back earthquakes killed at least 589 people and left thousands injured.
Acting President Delcy Rodríguez announced the new toll early Friday, surrounded by government and...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 26, 2026 by NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) and curated for The Los Angeles readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Megan Janetsky, Andry Rincón and Juan Pablo Arraez | The Associated Press at NBC Los Angeles (KNBC). To learn more about how The Los Angeles selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Los Angeles, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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