Urgent plea for aid in Macuto as 45 bodies remain trapped in earthquake debris

Civilian volunteers working at the La Estrella building in Macuto have issued an urgent plea for assistance in recovering nearly 45 bodies trapped in earthquake debris. They report a critical absence of machinery, body bags, and institutional support, leaving the victims exposed among the rubble following two recent earthquakes.

One rescuer recounted a harrowing incident from Friday night, where a team took an hour to extract a single body using a shovel due to the scarcity of body bags. "We need body bags, they don't appear, they promise them and they don't arrive," the volunteer denounced. The situation is exacerbated by the presence of more armed security personnel than basic rescue tools like picks and shovels available to the rescue teams.

“

We need body bags, they don't appear, they promise them and they don't arrive.

Furthermore, the two access routes between Caracas and La Guaira remain blocked by checkpoints, which are only allowing passage with permits. This severely impedes the entry of essential supplies and reinforcements needed for the recovery efforts. Volunteers expressed frustration, stating, "We have a photo show and zero direct help from the authorities."

Meanwhile, the president of the National Assembly, Jorge Rodríguez, reported on Saturday that the death toll from the June 24 earthquakes had risen to 1,430, with 3,238 injured and over 5,000 individuals receiving medical attention in hospitals. He also noted that 12,000 medical attentions had been provided in disaster zones, and 3,142 affected families were housed in shelters.

“

We have a photo show and zero direct help from the authorities.