The body of Oriana Ustariz, a 25-year-old model and brand promoter, was discovered on June 30 amidst the debris of the Moisés building in Caracas, Venezuela. She was found still clutching her pet dog, Kai. Ustariz had recently earned a physiotherapy degree, sharing her graduation photos on social media just days before the earthquakes struck.
Her remains were found during extensive search operations following back-to-back earthquakes with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5. Ustariz was the last individual unaccounted for from her apartment building. Her mother last heard from her when she went to walk her dog.
Venezuela has been significantly impacted by the disaster, with nearly 2,600 confirmed deaths and up to 200 structures collapsed. The United Nations estimates that as many as 50,000 people may still be missing. The coastal region of La Guaira was particularly devastated.
Among those still searching for loved ones is Eliezer Alfonzo, a former Major League Baseball player, who is seeking his wife and daughter who were in a hotel in Macuto when the earthquakes hit. Alfonzo has been working in the hotel's ruins. Miners from Tumeremo have been assisting in the search, and on Friday, the family's three-month-old dog, Mila, was found alive, her barking alerting rescuers. Alfonzo expressed hope that his daughter and wife might also be found alive.
Rumors of survivors have circulated on social media, leading to both hope and distress for families. Jose Francisco Liendo, searching for his father and sister, called the unconfirmed reports "playing with the families' pain." Despite the diminishing chances of survival after 72 hours, rescue and debris removal operations continue. Security guard Hernán Gil was notably rescued after spending nearly eight days trapped under rubble, with rescuers providing him with water and oxygen via tubes.
The Venezuelan government has stated that all deceased victims will be individually identified and has ruled out the use of mass graves.
