Key facts
- Two earthquakes, magnitude 7.2 and 7.5, struck Venezuela.
- At least 1,430 people have died, with the number expected to rise.
- Thousands are injured and tens of thousands are reported missing.
- Rescue efforts are ongoing, with civilians and international teams involved.
- Survivors, including children, are being pulled from collapsed buildings.
Two powerful earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude, struck Venezuela earlier this week, causing widespread devastation and a rising death toll. As of Saturday, government officials reported at least 1,430 fatalities, with thousands injured and tens of thousands missing. Rescue efforts are continuing, with a mix of civilian volunteers and international teams working to find survivors in the rubble of collapsed buildings, particularly in hard-hit areas like La Guaira and Catia La Mar.
Recent rescues, such as that of Daniel Cordero, have provided glimmers of hope for families still searching for loved ones. A 4-year-old and an elderly man were also pulled alive from the debris. However, many families have confirmed the deaths of relatives, including siblings Leyder and Leymar Rojas, who were rescued, but whose mother was overcome with grief. The uncle of the rescued children, Ramón Eduardo, expressed the immense loss, stating, "We have seen way too much."
For others, the wait for news continues. Ángela Molina Castro is anxiously awaiting updates on her nephews, Andrés David Molina Mendoza, 21, and Ángel Eduardo Molina Mendoza, 19, whose apartment building collapsed. She noted that no rescue teams had reached their building, and neighbors were attempting to clear debris themselves. Similarly, Flor María González is desperately seeking information about her daughter, Dilinyer Caroley Rada González, 33, and her three grandchildren, who were in an apartment building that collapsed in La Guaira. Despite the grim reality, many, like González, are holding onto faith that their loved ones will be found alive.