Mexican rescuers seek survivors amid earthquake rubble in Venezuela
Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Mexican rescuers are searching for survivors in La Guaira, Venezuela, after earthquakes.
- Authorities have blocked access to the most affected zone, where locals and rescuers dig through debris.
- The earthquakes have caused at least 1,430 deaths, over 3,200 injuries, and more than 51,000 disappearances.
Mexican rescuers are working tirelessly in La Guaira, Venezuela, a region devastated by recent earthquakes. Authorities have restricted access to the hardest-hit areas, where families and neighbors have been digging through rubble for three days in a desperate search for survivors.
"We are rescuers from the Mexican army. If anyone is alive in there, make noise or shout. Now!" a rescuer calls out, his voice echoing into a gap in the collapsed building. Around him, others and relatives of the missing wait in tense silence for any sign of life.
We are rescuers from the Mexican army. If anyone is alive in there, make noise or shout. Now!
One rescuer, his face masked and hands gloved, described the difficult conditions. "We hear noises, but we cannot confirm if it is a person or an animal. Nevertheless, we all have to be here... we have to keep searching," he said during a break.
We hear noises, but we cannot confirm if it is a person or an animal. Nevertheless, we all have to be here... we have to keep searching.
Nearby, Yonahรญ Regalado waits for news of his sister, nephew, and godson. "This has been horrible because we have been here in the rubble since the day of the earthquake, searching, calling... the community itself has been involved in the search until international aid began to arrive," he told The Associated Press.
Venezuelan officials reported that 1,430 people have died, with 3,238 injured and 3,142 families displaced. In an effort to manage the crisis, officials have distributed 2,600 tons of food and water to affected families. The president of the Parliament, Jorge Rodrรญguez, urged the public not to travel to La Guaira to avoid hindering rescue efforts and the deployment of heavy machinery.
This has been horrible because we have been here in the rubble since the day of the earthquake searching, calling... the community itself has been involved in the search until international aid began to arrive.
Originally published by El Universal in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.