‘Every person saved is a miracle’: Families call to trapped loved ones in region devastated by Venezuela quakes
Families Await Miracles as Venezuela Earthquake Ravages La Guaira Region
Every person saved is a miracle - In the wake of two powerful earthquakes that shook Venezuela, the coastal region of La Guaira has become a site of profound sorrow and unwavering determination. Families are calling out to their trapped loved ones, clinging to hope that each survivor found will be a miracle. The devastation has left infrastructure in ruins and homes reduced to rubble, with people using bare hands and basic tools like shovels to search for those still beneath the debris. Amid the chaos, drones scan the skies, while rescuers race against time to save lives, emphasizing that every person rescued is a miracle in itself.
Impact of the Earthquakes
The tremors, recorded at 7.2 and 7.5 on the Richter scale, struck on Wednesday, causing widespread destruction across the capital district of Caracas and surrounding areas. Over 1,430 lives have been confirmed lost, with the number of missing people approaching 50,000. National rescue teams, overwhelmed by the scale of the disaster, are working tirelessly, though international support has begun to pour in from Mexico, Spain, the United States, and the United Kingdom. The challenge remains immense, with families in desperate need of information and assistance.
Experts stress that the critical window for rescuing survivors is typically within 48 to 72 hours. However, in some cases, this period may extend if trapped individuals have access to water and food. "Every person saved is a miracle," said Jorge Rodríguez, president of Venezuela's National Assembly. "We will not hide anything about the scale of this tragedy." His words underscore the gravity of the situation as communities come to terms with the magnitude of the disaster.
Stories from the Ground
In Catia La Mar, a town within La Guaira state, the emotional toll of the quakes is evident. Residents gather in small groups, scanning the rubble for any sign of their missing relatives. Jesús Suárez, a father searching for his son Jean Suárez, has traveled over 124 miles to reach the site. "There's no information at all," he explained, pointing to the collapsed building. "People who know him say they didn’t see him come out or anything." Suárez highlights the risk involved in rescue efforts: "Without advanced equipment, a single person cannot safely extract someone from the debris—it’s too risky."
"We started calling him: Carlos, Carlos, son… And then he made a sound (a groan). That was about an hour and a half ago," recounted a cousin of Carlos Eduardo, a 31-year-old still buried under the rubble. "Since then, we haven’t heard anything from him—no speech, no movement. But he had done this before. Yesterday afternoon, he groaned and then went silent again. Now we’re just waiting for help, praying he will live."
The despair is palpable as the air fills with the "strong smell" of the deceased, according to Glendys Delgado, whose home was destroyed. "That’s going to make us and the children sick," she said, emphasizing the grim reality faced by many. Despite the lack of official aid, she expressed gratitude for the support from Caracas residents, who have brought food and supplies to the affected areas. The resilience of the community shines through as they endure the aftermath of the quakes, hoping for a miracle.
As the situation evolves, the images of destruction have sparked a global response. Aerial footage reveals entire neighborhoods reduced to rubble, with displaced families setting up temporary shelters. Volunteers from Mexico, the U.S., El Salvador, and Switzerland have joined the rescue efforts, though their numbers remain insufficient to meet the urgent demand. "Every area has been affected," noted Deiyer Gabril, 27. "Macuto, Caribe… everything over there is in ruins. And we can all feel the odour." The collective effort to save lives continues, with every survivor a beacon of hope in the face of catastrophe.