Efforts to rescue survivors in Venezuela are racing against time following the impact of two powerful earthquakes, resulting in over a thousand deaths and more than 50,000 individuals missing.
Rescuers worked tirelessly to dig through debris, haunted by the desperate cries of trapped victims, after two consecutive quakes of magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5 struck the country on Wednesday evening.
The initial 48 to 72 hours are crucial for saving lives, with the death toll climbing to at least 1,430 and over 51,000 individuals reported missing by Saturday night.
International rescue teams, alongside local volunteers, scoured through collapsed structures in La Guaira, one of the severely affected regions, using whatever means available to locate survivors.
Jorge Rodriguez, the president of the National Assembly, emphasized the importance of each life saved, acknowledging the magnitude of the ongoing tragedy and the necessity of transparency in reporting the situation.
UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher highlighted the critical nature of the search and rescue operations, emphasizing the relentless efforts to locate survivors amidst the debris and destruction. A total of 39 search and rescue teams are actively involved in the operation.
In a heartwarming moment captured on camera, a newborn baby was rescued from the rubble, with reports later confirming the mother’s survival after being rescued as well.
In another location, Ezequiel Frontado searched among bodies recovered from collapsed buildings in Catia La Mar, hoping to find his missing relatives, as the area remained heavily guarded with restricted access.
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