Amateur Venezuelan rescue workers, known as topos (moles), have spent recent days burrowing deep into crevices and crannies to locate thousands of people feared trapped after their homes collapsed during powerful earthquakes on 24 June. Tom Phillips, the Guardian’s Latin America correspondent, visited Residencia Costa Brava and OPPE 26 in La Guaira, a region devastated by the quakes.
Rescue Efforts in La Guaira
The topos, many of whom are volunteers with no formal training, risk their lives crawling through unstable debris to reach survivors. They use only basic tools like crowbars and their bare hands, often working in dangerous conditions with aftershocks still occurring. According to Phillips, the rescuers demonstrate incredible bravery and determination, embodying the phrase 'You need to be brave.'
Impact of the Earthquakes
The earthquakes, which struck on 24 June, caused widespread destruction in La Guaira and surrounding areas. Thousands of buildings collapsed, leaving many families homeless and trapping an unknown number of people under rubble. The official death toll has not yet been confirmed, but local authorities estimate hundreds may have died. The topos continue their search, hoping to find survivors amid the devastation.
