Homes in Caracas neighborhood at risk of collapse after earthquakes

Homes in Caracas’ Pinto Salinas neighborhood are nearing collapse after damage from the June 24 earthquakes and strong aftershocks recorded over the past two months.

The buildings received red classifications during technical inspections, but affected families have not yet been moved to a shelter. Journalist and activist Carlos Julio Rojas raised the issue on social media and shared video showing deteriorating walls and columns in one of the houses.

Rojas urged Caracas Mayor Carmen Meléndez and Jacqueline Faría, president of the Venezuela Reborn Plan, to address the emergency quickly “before another tragedy occurs, instead of hiding it.”

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Before another tragedy occurs, instead of hiding it.

Gabriel Véliz, one of the affected residents, said engineers from the Venezuelan Foundation for Seismological Research inspected homes with severe structural damage. Residents, however, still have not been told whether they will move to temporary accommodation. Véliz added that his home also shelters several kittens he rescued from the streets.

“No one has given us answers. The Community Council tells us to wait for another specialist, while the walls continue opening up. We truly do not know what to do or whom to turn to. The mayor’s office still has not given us an answer,” Véliz said.

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No one has given us answers. The Community Council tells us to wait for another specialist, while the walls continue opening up. We truly do not know what to do or whom to turn to. The mayor’s office still has not given us an answer.