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🇻🇪 Venezuela /Disasters & Emergencies

Expert asks Venezuela to preserve earthquake debris to determine causes of collapse

From El Nacional · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • An structural engineering expert requested authorities preserve debris from collapsed buildings after recent earthquakes.
  • Roberto Vernet argued that analyzing the rubble could reveal the exact causes of the structural failures.
  • He emphasized the need for expert examination before debris removal to prevent future tragedies.

An expert in structural engineering has formally requested that authorities preserve the debris from buildings that collapsed during the June 24 earthquakes. Roberto Vernet argued that a systematic collection of technical samples from the wreckage is essential to determine the precise reasons behind the total collapse of approximately 190 structures and the damage sustained by hundreds more.

The professional guild has urged for a thorough expert assessment before any materials are removed from the affected areas. Vernet questioned the effectiveness of construction controls and current regulations in the country. He stressed that a direct study of the fallen structures is the only reliable method to evaluate the quality of materials used by builders.

A month has passed since the double earthquake that shook La Guaira, and we still need to know what really happened there. Why did so many structures fall and collapse? Who designed them and under what standards were they built? Was there supervision?

— Roberto VernetVernet questioned the lack of clarity surrounding the earthquake's impact and the construction of the affected buildings.

"A month has passed since the double earthquake that shook La Guaira, and we still need to know what really happened there. Why did so many structures fall and collapse? Who designed them and under what standards were they built? Was there supervision?" Vernet questioned. He explained that a comparative technical analysis between destroyed buildings and those that remained standing would provide crucial data to identify design flaws.

Initial inspections in La Guaira revealed soil liquefaction and settlement in deep alluvial plains. Field reviews also detected issues with the main supports of buildings, including insufficient stirrups and deficiencies in column reinforcement. Vernet highlighted that a lack of oversight amplifies the impact of seismic events in urbanized zones. "We can indeed avoid improvisation, negligence, and lack of control, which truly multiply the consequences of earthquakes," he stated.

We can indeed avoid improvisation, negligence, and lack of control, which truly multiply the consequences of earthquakes.

— Roberto VernetVernet emphasized that proper oversight and control during construction can mitigate the devastating effects of seismic events.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by El Nacional in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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