Key facts
- A father and son were found alive in Caraballeda, Venezuela, nearly four days after twin earthquakes.
- The earthquakes, with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, struck last week.
- The death toll has surpassed 1,450, with over 3,150 injured.
- Approximately 774 buildings were severely damaged.
- Millions of people are reportedly lacking sanitation and basic necessities.
- International rescue teams and aid have been deployed to assist relief efforts.
A father and his teenage son were discovered alive beneath the rubble in Caraballeda, Venezuela, on Sunday, nearly four days after a series of powerful earthquakes struck the region. The discovery offered a rare moment of hope as the confirmed death toll from the back-to-back quakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude, rose to over 1,450, with thousands more injured and tens of thousands still missing.
Rescue teams from France, the US, Mexico, and other nations have been working tirelessly, often digging by hand alongside desperate residents, to find survivors amidst the widespread destruction. Approximately 774 buildings sustained significant damage, and nearly 200 were completely destroyed in the affected areas, leaving millions without essential services like sanitation and basic necessities.
Interim President Delcy Rodríguez commended the ongoing rescue efforts, vowing to continue operations as long as there was a chance of finding survivors. However, the critical 72-hour window for rescue has passed, diminishing prospects for further discoveries. The disaster has compounded the suffering of a nation already grappling with a severe economic crisis that has weakened infrastructure and public services.
Amidst the devastation, instances of looting have been reported in La Guaira, a port city heavily impacted by the quakes. Residents expressed frustration over the slow pace of aid distribution from authorities, though the US has provided significant assistance, including helicopters and military personnel to bolster relief operations. Twenty-four countries have contributed supplies, search dogs, and personnel.
The UN migration agency estimates that up to 6.76 million people could be affected, requiring extensive humanitarian aid. The economic fallout is also substantial, with the UN estimating physical repair costs at $6.7 billion, equivalent to 6% of Venezuela's GDP. In a separate development, exiled opposition figure Maria Corina Machado announced her imminent return to Venezuela.