Virginia rescue team continues search in Venezuela one week after double earthquake

Search and rescue operations in Venezuela continued on Wednesday, with a Virginia fire and rescue team still working amid mounting casualty figures one week after a double earthquake struck the country, according to PBS NewsHour.

Amna Nawaz of PBS NewsHour reported that fewer survivors are being found as days pass, but the effort remains active, citing Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Battalion Chief Daniel Gajewski.

Gajewski said his team is operating with 79 people and six dogs in Venezuela as part of the ongoing international response.

The death toll and missing-person estimates shared in the report underscore the scale of the disaster. Nearly 2,300 people were confirmed dead, and tens of thousands were reported missing as of the reporting time.

The PBS report described the deployment as part of a prolonged search phase that continues despite the increasingly difficult conditions that typically accompany rescue work after major earthquakes, including the passage of time and the likelihood that trapped survivors have less chance of being found alive.

With the response now in its second week, the continuing presence of the Virginia team reflects the emphasis on locating survivors where possible, supporting recovery operations, and accounting for victims and families still awaiting information.

As officials continue to update casualty and missing-person tallies, the next practical steps for responders include sustaining search capabilities, coordinating across teams on the ground, and shifting from active rescue toward recovery and identification efforts as conditions and official guidance evolve.