Venezuela earthquake: Race against time for 'miracles' and to rescue thousands trapped under rubble
Two devastating earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude struck Venezuela on Wednesday, flattening buildings and leaving at least 1,430 dead with over 50,000 people missing. The race against time has begun to rescue survivors from the rubble in what rescuers describe as critical hours.
Aid agencies consider the first 48 to 72 hours crucial to save people. The UN humanitarian chief stated: "We are driven on minute-by-minute hour-by-hour by the sound of the survivors underneath the rubble."
La Guaira, a coastal region near Caracas, has been hit hardest. Families dig through debris by hand, searching for loved ones. Andreina Valerio rushed to find her almost two-year-old son Santiago, trapped in a collapsed building with her partner Ramses Mendoza. "I still have faith my son is alive," she said. "I have faith that it's my son. And I know my son will get through this as will his family."
Despite the devastation, rescues have provided hope. A newborn baby was rescued Friday, with the mother pulled alive shortly after. Two 11-year-old boys, including one named Moises, have been rescued. Most remarkably, a father and son were pulled alive after four days trapped beneath collapsed buildings.
International rescue teams have joined efforts. A British charity team from Serve On, led by Vernon Young, possesses seismic and acoustic equipment to detect buried victims. French Civil Security, American rescue workers from Virginia, and teams from El Salvador and Spain have arrived to assist.
Acting President Delcy Rodriguez deployed 14,000 military and police to affected areas. However, Venezuela faces severe shortages of heavy machinery needed for rescue operations, making the country reliant on international aid as the critical rescue window narrows. Jorge Rodriguez, president of Venezuela's National Assembly, warned: "We are in critical hours in crucial hours to continue rescuing lives." More than 2,600 rescue workers now participate in the search effort as hope of finding more survivors fades at the fifth day mark.