At least 188 people are dead and hundreds more injured after two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela overnight Wednesday. The 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude quakes caused widespread destruction in some of the country's most densely populated areas.
In Toronto's Venezuelan community, business owners scrambled to confirm the safety of relatives back home. Luis Hernandez, who runs the Pomarosa café, said roughly 10 family members in Caracas survived unharmed-but he fears the true death toll remains unknown.
"It could be thousands of people that we don't even know about yet," Hernandez said.
Café employee Jennyfer Chirinos said her mother had arrived in Caracas just one day before the quakes struck. Her father's return flight was cancelled, leaving him stranded as damaged infrastructure disrupts travel.
The Canadian Red Cross is mobilizing resources for what officials warn will be a long recovery. Teams on the ground are prioritizing search and rescue, medical care, and shelter.
"We expect a long road to recovery," said Kelsey Lemon, vice-president of international cooperation with the Canadian Red Cross.
Supplies including hygiene kits, solar lights, and emergency essentials stand ready for deployment.
Prime Minister Mark Carney offered condolences, saying his thoughts are with the injured, displaced, and first responders working tirelessly to save lives.
Video from the hard-hit port city of La Guaira showed dozens of victims receiving treatment outside a hospital. Rescue crews continue searching for people believed trapped under collapsed buildings.