Caracas nervously returns to routine a week after devastating double earthquake

Caracas is slowly resuming its daily rhythm a week after a significant double earthquake, with an increasing number of businesses reopening and citizens returning to their workplaces. However, this return to normalcy is tinged with nervousness due to ongoing aftershocks, while families persist in their search for missing loved ones and those who lost their homes sleep in temporary shelters.

Areas in Caracas that suffered the most severe damage remain cordoned off with "Do not enter, danger" tape, though some individuals disregard these warnings. Access to certain office buildings is temporarily restricted as authorities assess or repair damage. Small businesses like kiosks are operating, selling drinks, cigarettes, and snacks, and people are seen exercising in public squares and leaving nearby gyms.

The earthquake's impact was most heavily felt in the Chacao municipality, located in the eastern part of the capital. Approximately three buildings completely collapsed, and around 80 others suffered damage. Efforts to remove debris from collapsed structures are ongoing.

“

We cling to that: to the hope of that call.

At the Petunia residence in Los Palos Grandes, Alberta Tahani expressed her hope for the rescue of her nephew, who has been trapped under rubble for a week. She recounted his last communication during the earthquakes, stating he was fine before contact was lost. Rescuers are accelerating their efforts as time becomes critical, with over 160 hours having passed since the disaster.

Medical personnel, volunteers, and even evangelical pastors have set up tents and chairs near the collapsed buildings, offering support and prayer. In Los Palos Grandes, about 20 tents house residents from a nearby building that was damaged but not destroyed. These individuals have been visiting their apartments daily to clean up and retrieve belongings.

Miguel Alicastro highlighted the continuous support from volunteers providing food to families in the tents. He also emphasized the pervasive nervousness felt by those affected by the aftershocks. "We cannot resume our daily routine until we are stabilized, both physically and mentally," Alicastro stated, describing how everyone runs during each tremor as they adapt to the new reality. In the San Bernardino parish, Mireya Herrera, 73, awaits news of her son, daughter-in-law, and two granddaughters, who are believed to be trapped in a ruined building where heavy machinery is clearing debris and firefighters are searching for survivors or recovering bodies.

“

We cannot resume our daily routine until we are stabilized, both physically and mentally (...). Every time there is an aftershock, everyone runs. We are in this process of adapting again.