Caracas: The death toll from the two powerful earthquakes that struck Venezuela last Wednesday is nearing 1,500, as international rescuers continue their search for missing persons after at least 33 survivors were found over the weekend.
According to Thai News Agency, the earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude, caused widespread devastation, with rescue teams from around the world working tirelessly to locate survivors. Notably, two 11-year-old boys were rescued from the rubble, with one being pulled from more than three meters deep by a Colombian rescue team, and the other by a Mexican team in Caraballeda. Other rescues included a baby girl, a 60-year-old woman who survived over 86 hours trapped, and a father and son rescued by a French and American team.
Despite these successes, the situation remains dire with nearly 50,000 people still missing. The death toll has reached at least 1,450, with more than 3,150 injured and over 775 buildings either collapsed or damaged. The Amuay refinery, Venezuela's largest, has also reportedly shut down temporarily due to a power outage in the western region.
The rescue operation is a collaborative effort involving over 2,200 international rescuers from countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, France, and Mexico. They are using sniffer dogs, heavy equipment, and drones to search areas in Laguira state and the suburbs of Caracas, which suffered the most damage. However, with the critical "golden 72 hours" for finding survivors now passed, teams are racing against time amidst public criticism regarding governmental delays.
The United Nations estimates that the disaster could impact up to 6.76 million people, with physical damages valued at approximately US$6.7 billion, representing over 6% of Venezuela's GDP. This disaster further complicates the country's ongoing political transition and economic crisis, which has persisted for over a decade.