Earthquake in Venezuela: Rescue teams hold little hope for survivors

Rescue workers in Venezuela are continuing their search for survivors amidst the rubble of collapsed buildings, but the likelihood of finding anyone alive is increasingly slim. The nation-wide search is ongoing, with over 50,000 people still missing following the earthquake, which has been described as Venezuela's largest in over a century.

The city of La Guaira appears to have been particularly devastated. Residents were seen searching through the remains of a residential block, some using their bare hands, in hopes of finding loved ones. One four-building complex in La Guaira, which housed hundreds of apartments, has been reduced to debris, according to Nadiomar Polanco, the head of a Chilean rescue team. "There is hardly any chance of finding people alive," Polanco stated, noting that his team was now focused on recovering bodies.

International aid has arrived in force, with over 1,600 rescue personnel from various countries on the ground. The Venezuelan government announced that ten more countries would be sending teams, and a representative from the Foreign Ministry, Oliver Blanco, reported that 17 flights carrying rescue teams had already landed, with 25 more expected within 24 hours. Military and police forces are also present in La Guaira to conduct patrols and implement hygiene measures.

Venezuelan interim President Delcy Rodríguez addressed the nation, acknowledging the grim reality while highlighting the international support. The scale of the disaster, with at least 920 confirmed deaths and widespread destruction, presents a monumental challenge for the country's recovery efforts.

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There is hardly any chance of finding people alive.