LA GUAIRA, Venezuela (AP) — Tensions escalated in La Guaira on Saturday as the desperate search for survivors following twin earthquakes intensified, with the death toll rising to 1,430. Families reported at least 68,900 people missing three days after the 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes struck the South American country, causing widespread devastation.
Rescue efforts involved various means, with civilians and international teams using shovels, ropes, and heavy equipment to sift through the rubble of collapsed buildings. Anguished families, searching for their loved ones, expressed desperation as they witnessed slow government response, which many deemed inadequate given the scale of the disaster. Frustration mounted as officials attempted to project an image of a competent response amid clear suffering.
Aid agencies emphasize the importance of the first 48 to 72 hours in rescuing individuals alive. Venezuelan officials reported that 17 flights had brought over 1,600 rescue personnel to the area by Saturday, but for those on the ground, time was slipping away. As sunlight dwindled, rescuers faced an urgent race against time, with many still hoping to find people alive beneath the rubble.
“There’s a pile of bodies over there from last night. Newborn babies,” lamented Mileidy Romero, a civilian searching in the seaside town of Caraballeada. Community members described inadequate government assistance, with reports of state officials taking selfies amidst the devastation rather than participating actively in rescue efforts. The acting president, Delcy Rodríguez, stated that 14,000 military and police personnel were deployed to support the search, yet many disaster-stricken citizens reported little visible government presence.
The human toll became increasingly evident as search efforts turned chaotic, with moments of desperation observable among those waiting for news about missing loved ones. Civilians navigated through piles of debris, often without proper safety gear, wearing motorcycle helmets in what had become a grim scene of destruction. A poignant moment occurred when rescuers pulled an older man from the rubble, visibly disoriented and pleading for water while desperately seeking information about his family.
The International Organization for Migration highlighted that over 6 million people could be affected, particularly gravely impacting approximately 2 million in the capital, Caracas. Experts noted that the destruction was exacerbated by the close succession of the quakes, which triggered aftershocks, including one that measured 4.8 on Saturday, adding to the community's anxiety and uncertainty.
International aid flooded in from countries, such as Mexico, the US, Brazil, El Salvador, and France. Mexican rescue teams utilized specialized techniques to navigate the wreckage and search for survivors, with limited success reported during their operations. As people from various backgrounds and nations collaborated in the rescue efforts, a small glimmer of hope emerged, with stories of miraculous rescues punctuating the desperation.
One heartening incident involved the retrieval of an 18-day-old baby boy alongside his mother after an extensive search involving both local and international teams. These snippets of human connection offered fleeting moments of relief amid the backdrop of tragedy, serving as reminders of the fragility of life in the wake of natural disasters. The humanitarian response, bolstered by foreign teams, provided tangible comfort to the residents, many of whom remained hopeful despite dire circumstances.
As the recovery continued, critical infrastructure in the region also faced challenges, with Simón Bolívar International Airport suffering considerable damage. While one runway remained operational for emergency responses, U.S. teams worked diligently to restore crucial support channels for incoming aid. There remains an overarching sense of urgency as authorities and community members strive to assist those affected, underscoring the resilience and strength of the human spirit amid despair.
