Venezuela overwhelmed by water, despair, and looters after earthquake

A week after a powerful earthquake devastated Venezuela's northern coastal region, survivors face a grim reality of loss, despair, and the added hardship of relentless rain and flooding.

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The hope remains intact: we continue to dig to try to save human lives

The official death toll has climbed to 2,295, with 11,267 people injured. The United Nations estimates that the disaster could impact as many as half a million people, launching an appeal for funds as current resources are insufficient to address the scale of the catastrophe. Thousands of families have lost their homes and loved ones, with the remnants of their dwellings now vulnerable to looting.

Compounding the tragedy, reports of widespread looting have surfaced, involving both civilians and security forces. Independent media have bravely highlighted these abuses, which some attribute to the widespread poverty, including among state workers, that predated the earthquake. However, the government has now acknowledged the problem.

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The government - he assured - will have zero tolerance for those who tarnish and dishonor the uniform of our police forces with immoral acts.

Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello announced the arrest of four agents from the Scientific, Criminal and Forensic Investigation Corps (Cicpc) for alleged looting during rescue operations. He vowed "zero tolerance" for those who tarnish the police uniform. A viral video shows one arrested agent being confronted by indignant citizens after allegedly being found with a bag of dollars amidst the rubble. Despite these issues, excavation efforts continue in La Guaira, the hardest-hit city, though hopes of finding survivors diminish with each passing day.

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The emergency could 'involve up to half a million people' and they have launched an appeal for fundraising, emphasizing that current resources 'will not be sufficient to cover the entire scope of the disaster'.