48 Hours in Los Silos: A Chronicle from the Makeshift Morgue at La Guaira Port After the Earthquakes

In the aftermath of the earthquakes, a temporary morgue was established at Los Silos in the port of La Guaira, Venezuela, to handle the influx of victims' bodies. Forensic personnel worked around the clock in this open-air triage center, treating each deceased individual with strict chain of custody as evidence.

The process began with technical inspection, assigning each body an entry number to a central database. Primary identification involved photographic records and, when possible, fingerprinting from preserved skin. Bodies without identified family members were passed to forensic anthropology for profile development, documenting any distinguishing features like tattoos or belongings. Further steps included dental profiling and the extraction of DNA samples from teeth, nails, and bones, with even separated remains meticulously processed.

Authorities defended the decision to operate in the open air, stating that no existing morgue in the country could handle hundreds of bodies daily. They argued that an enclosed space would pose sanitary risks, potentially re-traumatize families, and slow down the identification process. Confirmed identifications led to death certificates, and private funeral homes and carpenters volunteered services and coffins for dignified burials. Unidentified bodies were kept for a reasonable period before being buried in La Esperanza cemetery. Currently, 38 unclaimed bodies remain at Los Silos, and families searching for children and adolescents are directed to this location.

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I was told it was a makeshift morgue. I spent 48 hours there and this is what I saw.