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Watch: Elderly couple hold on for life; 4 devastating moments from Venezuela quake
The nation is feeling the effects of the large-scale disaster; a dejected air hangs in the country; individuals are panicked, grieving, and hold an unspeakable, fearful sorrow
- PUBLISHED: Sat 27 Jun 2026, 3:11 PM
At least 929 were killed when powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela on Friday, with scenes of utter devastation unfolding across the country. A day later, on Saturday, even as the nation reeled from the previous day's quakes, a fresh 4.9-magnitude earthquake hit the country.
Rescue teams have been desperately scrambling for survivors, loved ones are grappling with the loss of their families, and the natural disaster has prompted international aid being dispatched to Venezuela.
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However, the fear and desperation after the earthquakes has not eased; the nation is feeling the effects of the large-scale crisis; a dejected air hangs in the country, and individuals are panicked, grieving, and hold an unspeakable, fearful sorrow. Children have been separated from their parents, and Venezuelan hospitals have stepped in to treat them.
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Frustration mounted over the uneven pace of relief in some of the hardest-hit areas including La Guaira state, where residents and volunteers were still digging through rubble by hand amid shortages of heavy equipment and limited official presence.
In a city in the worst-hit state of La Guaira, north of Caracas, residents listened helplessly as a young girl cried out for help for hours. Not long after, the girl died, local residents told AFP.
Some videos highlight the touching moments and daring rescues as the people come together in solidarity to help each other, and save victims trapped in rubble. Take a look at these videos:
The video, shared by Sozoo Today, shows an elderly couple embracing during the quake, which has now gone viral. Social media users noted how the husband refused to let go of his wife, although he was also in a difficult position.
The couple clung on to each other, although they both appear stricken from the quake, with the woman crying out as the building shakes.
While humans can voice their emotions, the animals — who suffer in disasters — are voiceless and often helpless. Ensuring that they do not endure pain silently, Venezuelan firefighters extended compassion and empathy to a puppy trapped in the rubble.
They were seen giving it water after rescuing the puppy, as the animal clung on to its saviours, appearing shaken by the ordeal.
As a stationary plane in the Venezuela airport shook from tremors, there was panic on board with passengers looking around at each other, bewildered, and trying to make sense of their reality.
Visuals by AFP show that the plane was evacuated with a large number of travellers standing on the tarmac.
In this video by AFP, rescue teams, adorning a harness, stepped up — quite literally — to save a toddler trapped in a building.
While communities come together during times of need, it is the frontline heroes who stand out the most. Putting their lives on the line, they rush to save others — rescuing the vulnerable, elderly, children and others alike.
With no thought for their own safety, firefighters and rescue teams brave disasters, scale heights, and dig through rubble, all to protect others.
Poojaraj Maniyeri is a Digital Journalist who loves turning everyday conversations into news stories. She is also a typical bookworm, and brings a novel with her everywhere she goes.