Rescue personnel in La Guaira, Venezuela, assisted a woman in giving birth on Friday, June 26, during ongoing search and rescue operations following a significant earthquake that struck the region. The event occurred as emergency teams were searching for individuals reported missing in structures damaged by the seismic event.
According to Venezuela’s Seismological Research Foundation (FUNVISIS), a magnitude 7.1 earthquake occurred early Friday morning, with its epicenter located approximately 20 kilometers off the coast of La Guaira. The initial quake was followed by a series of aftershocks, causing damage to buildings and infrastructure throughout the coastal state.
Officials with Venezuela’s Civil Protection agency confirmed the birth took place at a temporary medical station established by emergency responders. The mother, whose identity has not been publicly released, was located by a search team and went into labor shortly after being moved to safety. Medical personnel on-site provided assistance, and both the mother and newborn were later transported to a nearby functioning hospital. A spokesperson for the agency reported that both are in stable condition.
In a national address, Minister of Interior, Justice and Peace, Remigio Ceballos, announced the deployment of additional military and emergency personnel to the affected areas. The governor of La Guaira, José Alejandro Terán, described the situation as serious in a public statement and requested federal assistance.
Initial reports from the region indicate widespread power outages, disruptions to communication networks, and damage to major roadways, which has complicated rescue efforts.
Search and rescue operations are continuing across La Guaira and surrounding areas. Teams from the national fire department and Civil Protection are using specialized equipment to locate individuals who may be trapped in collapsed or compromised buildings. Officials have not yet released confirmed figures on casualties but stated that their primary focus remains on life-saving operations. An unspecified number of people remain unaccounted for, according to local authorities.
Emergency shelters have been set up in schools and public buildings to house residents displaced by the earthquake. The full extent of the damage is still being assessed as response teams work to reach more remote communities along the coast.
