Catia La Mar hospital evacuated for decontamination after earthquake

Authorities have evacuated the Hospital de Catia La Mar, known locally as the "hospitalito," to begin an extensive decontamination and cleaning operation. This critical measure is being taken to prepare the facility to receive the bodies of earthquake victims and to ensure the care of those injured by the disaster that struck on June 24.

The earthquake has officially claimed 1,450 lives, with 3,150 people injured and 12,721 left homeless. While the hospital building itself remained standing, unlike many surrounding residential and commercial structures that collapsed, the situation inside and outside the facility necessitated the evacuation. Videos shared on social media showed the extent of the damage in the vicinity, with streets blocked by debris.

Military personnel are leading the special cleanup and sanitary control operation. Their tasks include collecting waste and biological debris both inside and outside the hospital perimeter. This is driven not only by the immediate risk posed by decomposing bodies but also by the general accumulation of garbage that has obstructed access routes due to the paralysis of municipal sanitation services.

Once the disinfection and cleaning are complete, medical personnel will be able to reactivate the hospital's reception protocols. The operation underscores the severe challenges faced by emergency services in the aftermath of the earthquake, highlighting the need for coordinated efforts to restore essential services and manage the humanitarian crisis.