At least 1,430 people were killed after two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela on 24 June, according to Jorge Rodriguez, the Venezuelan national assembly president. Thousands of rescuers, relatives, and volunteers have been digging day and night through piles of smashed concrete to find survivors.
Scale of the Disaster
The main quake, a 7.2-magnitude tremor, was followed less than a minute later by a 7.5-magnitude aftershock. The earthquakes caused widespread destruction in La Guaira state and parts of Caracas, collapsing buildings and trapping victims under rubble. Authorities have restricted access to some disaster zones and deployed the military to assist in relief efforts.
Rescue and Recovery Operations
In Caraballeda, La Guaira state, volunteers and residents have been searching for survivors in the rubble of collapsed buildings. Rescue workers, including members of the French Civil Security Training and Intervention Regiment, have been working alongside local firefighters and volunteers. Meredith Poole, of Gideon Rescue Company, was seen petting a rescue dog while taking part in efforts in the Tanaguarena neighbourhood.
A newly created webpage has registered almost 50,000 missing people, prompting families to post photos of loved ones on walls at Parque Ali Primera. One woman wore a T-shirt reading 'Help me find my family' as emergency vehicles operated near collapsed buildings in Caraballeda.
Impact on Communities
In Catia La Mar, a man on a motorcycle rode past a building destroyed by the earthquakes. Maria Esther Bernal was inside her house, partially damaged by the quakes, in the same area. Bodies of earthquake victims were placed at the Port of La Guaira as people attempted to identify their relatives. A vigil was held outside Valencia Cathedral in Valencia, Spain, in tribute to the victims.
Volunteers sorted packages of aid for affected people, and military personnel controlled access to La Guaira state as heavy machinery cleared debris. Rescuers and volunteers were seen resting against the wall of a collapsed building in Caraballeda after long hours of search operations.
Continued Efforts
Search operations continue in the San Bernardino neighbourhood in Caracas, where volunteers wait to be called to work. The international community has offered support, and rescue teams remain committed to finding survivors amidst the devastation.
