The crucial window for rescuing survivors of Venezuela's devastating earthquakes has closed, with officials and rescue teams fearing that at least 50,000 people may have perished. As of Saturday, nearly 1,500 fatalities were confirmed, but the number of missing remains alarmingly high after two powerful quakes struck the South American nation on Wednesday evening.
Despite the dwindling chances of finding survivors, rescue efforts continued, with a newborn baby among those pulled from the rubble. However, a rescuer told CNN that the first 48 to 72 hours after a major earthquake are considered the most critical for survival without water. Following this period, the likelihood of survival diminishes rapidly.
A 68-strong UK International Search and Rescue team deployed from RAF Brize Norton on Friday, joining over 2,000 international responders in the search and recovery operations.
Devastation and Response
The earthquakes, the strongest to hit Venezuela in a century, struck within seconds of each other on Wednesday evening. The initial tremor registered a magnitude of 7.2, followed closely by a 7.5 magnitude quake. The impacts have been catastrophic, with images showing collapsed shopping centers and residential buildings. Local hospitals are reportedly overwhelmed with the injured.
The coastal community of La Guaira, north of the capital Caracas, appears to be the hardest-hit area, with tens of thousands feared dead amidst ongoing aftershocks. At least 1,600 buildings in Caracas were flattened, and residents described infrastructure such as bridges and roads collapsing within seconds.
Graciela Mora, a survivor, recounted the terrifying speed of the collapse, stating, "My friend standing beside me was killed when part of our building collapsed. It happened within seconds. I held onto the doorframe with everything I had. I broke my fingers but stayed alive." Benito Quivera from Caracas noted that rescue teams were resorting to digging with their bare hands due to a lack of heavy equipment in the country.
Hector Bellow, a footballer for La Guaira's team, shared a poignant tribute on social media to his wife Andrea, 26, who died shielding their one-year-old daughter Alana from falling debris. He wrote, "I'll tell her the story of how you saved her, how you gave your own life for our daughter, how you were a brave woman who, even with your last breaths, never abandoned her."
International Aid and Context
President Trump has dispatched U.S. rescue teams and committed $150 million in aid to Venezuela, stating, "America stands ready, willing and able to help." The U.S. Geological Survey has estimated that the final death toll could range between 10,000 and 100,000.
A spokesperson for Acting President Delcy Rodriguez stated, "We are in a race against time to find survivors. There are still 50,000 unaccounted for. Keep Venezuela in your prayers."
Venezuela, a nation of 28 million people, was once a prosperous Latin American country but has faced decades of economic decline and political instability. The country has been in a state of turmoil since January, following actions taken against its socialist leader Nicolas Maduro, who is currently awaiting trial in New York on terrorism and drug charges.
