Venezuela Earthquakes: Over 1700 Confirmed Dead as Search for Missing Persons Continues

Five days ago, powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela, causing a major crisis. The confirmed death toll has now exceeded one thousand seven hundred people. Meanwhile, thousands of residents remain missing. Rescue teams have worked tirelessly to search for survivors in the country. Reporter Camilo Montoya-Galvez has shared the latest details about this tragic disaster on CBS News, showing the world the scale of the ongoing rescue efforts.
Five days ago, powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela and caused a massive crisis in the country. Rescue teams have worked constantly since then to find survivors in the affected areas. According to recent updates, the confirmed death toll has already risen to over 1700 people. Although rescue workers are searching daily, thousands of people still remain missing after the disaster. If teams do not find survivors soon, the number of deaths will probably increase further.
A reporter who works for CBS News, Camilo Montoya-Galvez, has shared these important details. He has explained that rescue operations are still going on in all the affected areas. Many people have lost their lives, and others are desperately waiting for any positive news. The earthquakes hit the nation five days ago, but the danger is not over yet.
Local officials have confirmed more than 1700 deaths, but thousands of people are still missing. Rescue teams are trying to carry out their search as the situation remains very critical. They will continue looking for survivors as long as there is still some real hope.
If you watch the CBS News broadcast, you will see the news about the disaster. Camilo Montoya-Galvez has reported from the scene to give viewers the latest official news updates. The reporter pointed out that the situation is very critical for the whole local population. Thousands of people have disappeared, and the rescue teams are continuing this long search. The rescue workers might find more survivors if they search the remaining areas very quickly. Local officials have confirmed the deaths, and they are helping the rescue teams with their tasks. The world is watching Venezuela as the country deals with this truly terrible natural disaster.
Take a position. Out loud, if you can.
Four ways to start. Pick one and try saying it before you scroll on.
Tip · Record yourself, use in a notebook, or practice with a language partner.
What has happened to the confirmed death toll since the earthquakes?
Present Perfect for Recent Events
Use the present perfect to describe recent actions that have a direct result on the present situation.
“A reporter who works for CBS News, Camilo Montoya-Galvez, has shared these important details.”
What to know · B1
Try saying this aloud
Scenario: Sharing updates from a news broadcast with a colleague.
- 01“According to recent updates,”
- 02“Have you heard the latest news?”
- 03“They are still searching.”
Register tip · neutral
🔑Key Phrases
Indicates the consequences of the earthquakes.
The storm caused a massive crisis in the city.
Describes a change in situation leading up to the present.
The official toll has already risen to fifty.
Highlights the effort to execute the mission.
They are trying to carry out their plan.
A common reporting phrase to emphasize a fact.
She pointed out that the situation is simple.
💬Discussion Questions
Open-ended questions to talk or write about — alone, with a partner, or in class.
- 1
Why do major television networks spend so much time covering natural disasters?
Opinion - 2
How does the coverage of real disasters on the news compare to fictional disaster movies?
Compare - 3
In what ways can celebrities use their entertainment platforms to support disaster victims?
Evaluate - 4
If a movie were made about this earthquake, how should it portray the rescue workers?
Opinion - 5
What do you think will change in news reporting technology over the next decade?
Predict - 6
How do you decide which news channels or media sources to trust during a crisis?
Personal - 7
Should media outlets show graphic details of natural disasters, or is that unethical?
Evaluate - 8
Have you ever participated in or watched a charity event to help people in need?
Personal
Adapted from CBS News · Read the original. LectoPress rewrites the facts as original graded-reader text for language learners.
Get stories at your level, every day
B1 · EN · delivered to your inbox · unsubscribe any time
Customize language, level & topics → full preferences