Screams mark search for earthquake victims in Venezuela

According to the agency EFEhundreds of inhabitants of the region complained this Thursday (25) about the lack of Civil Defense employees and other security agencies to help in the search for people trapped under buildings that collapsed after the tremors recorded on Wednesday (24).

In La Guaira, several buildings collapsed, while some others were heavily damaged with white smoke rising from the rubble. Residents reported constant screams from people looking for missing family members.

The search work in the region is being carried out by civilians themselves, using shovels and even their hands to dig through the rubble. There are still several bodies scattered across the streets.

Resident Gabriela Pérez, a civil servant and resident of a building belonging to the state-owned Misión Vivienda, told EFE that La Guaira had not yet received adequate assistance for rescue services. She stated that residents are trying to evacuate people from the buildings on their own amid the fires that were caused by gas cylinders.

Pérez also criticized the actions of authorities at the scene. According to her, there were employees taking photos, but without entering the rubble to help.

A EFE reported that he managed to accompany the rescue of two injured people in the region, a woman named Mayra and a child. The agency also found that at least three bodies were removed from the same location.

In Playa Grande, another area hit hard by the earthquakes, a team of firefighters arrived with around ten agents and basic rescue equipment. On site, as per EFEthe bodies of at least three women and a two-year-old girl were next to a building at risk of total collapse.

The official balance released by the president of the Chavista National Assembly, Jorge Rodríguez, raised the number of deaths due to the tremors to 188 this Thursday. According to him, 1,520 people were injured, more than 200 were still trapped under the rubble and 157 were missing.

According to Rodríguez, 2,927 families were affected by the earthquakes. At least 250 buildings were damaged or destroyed, including properties in Caraballeda and Playa Grande, two of the hardest hit locations in La Guaira.

The report also shows damage to eight hospitals, 20 shopping centers and 46 public infrastructure works. According to the Chavista regime, some hospitals had to be evacuated, and patients were transferred to other health units.

The emergency also caused the displacement of residents onto the streets. According to CNNmany people preferred to sleep outside their residences for fear of further collapses.

The Venezuelan Red Cross reported that the most urgent needs at this time include emergency shelter for families who have lost their homes, medical care, psychological support, drinking water, sanitation and basic household items. The lack of food has also started to affect residents and rescue volunteers.

Amid the destruction, local councils began organizing shelters in schools and baseball stadiums to prevent residents from spending the night on the streets. According to CNNsome public buildings were also transformed into supply collection points.

Satellite images released by the company Vantor show extensive damage in La Guaira. According to the CNNthe images indicate collapsed residential buildings, structural damage to hotels and warehouses, as well as signs of fire in part of the affected areas. The lack of energy and internet has also made communication between families and authorities difficult.