Venezuela races to find quake survivors as toll rises

Rescuers in Venezuela are racing to find survivors three days after twin earthquakes devastated the coastal region around La Guaira, killing at least 920 people and leaving more than 51,000 missing as the critical 72-hour rescue window nears its end.

The magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 quakes struck Wednesday in quick succession, causing widespread destruction in La Guaira and damage in Caracas and other areas. Authorities said more than 3,300 people had been injured as of midday Friday and 243 people had been rescued. The International Organization for Migration said up to 6.76 million people could be affected, including about two million in Caracas.

With government rescue teams scarce in some of the hardest-hit neighborhoods, residents have dug through collapsed buildings with their hands. NPR reported that limited equipment and an overstretched health system have slowed rescue efforts, and that several badly affected areas still lacked heavy rescue tools.

“Each person saved is a miracle,” said Jorge Rodriguez, president of the National Assembly. “We are not going to hide absolutely anything about the magnitude of this tragedy.”

Delcy Rodríguez, identified by NPR as Venezuela’s president and by Al Jazeera as acting president, pledged to save “as many people as possible” and called for unity. She said the government was mounting a full response during “critical hours for rescuing people alive,” welcomed international rescue teams and humanitarian aid, and said La Guaira had been “militarised” as more help was sent to the region.

Authorities moved Friday night to restrict access to the area around La Guaira, saying anyone seeking to enter would need official permits. Officials gave few details about who would be allowed in. The measure came as traffic chaos began to hamper search efforts.

Government forces distributed food and water to survivors in La Guaira, but residents told reporters the assistance was only a fraction of what was needed. Thousands of people have been left homeless, sleeping in public squares, shelters and parks. Loyce Pace, the International Red Cross regional director for the Americas, said “people are still terrified to re-enter what were their homes.”

The death toll is expected to rise. Independent digital databases have logged tens of thousands of missing-person reports, though Al Jazeera reported that some may involve people who cannot be reached because phone service is down, while others may be duplicates.

International aid has begun to arrive. Venezuelan authorities said 861 volunteers from Mexico, the United States, El Salvador, Switzerland, Colombia and other countries were already in the country, with more expected.

In Colombia, home to the largest Venezuelan population abroad, hundreds of people have gone to community centers to donate non-perishable food, hygiene products, clothing and pet supplies. Humanitarian groups in Colombia and neighboring countries are collecting goods they say will be needed for weeks or months.

“I’m from Maracaibo, so my family was not affected,” said Isabel Mendoza, a Venezuelan street vendor in Bogotá who donated clothes, gloves, face masks and toilet paper. “But I’ve been to places like Caracas and La Guaira, and it just breaks my heart to see this happening to our people.”

Mariana Godoy, a logistics specialist, brought bottled water, energy drinks, cookies, deodorants and sanitary products. She said a relative, a doctor in Caracas, could not return home after his building was badly damaged and was sleeping in his office with his wife and children.

“Our country is going through a really tough moment, so we must do all we can to help,” Godoy said.

Gisella Serrano, a Venezuelan humanitarian worker in Colombia, said her foundation is coordinating with other groups to store supplies in warehouses before sending them to Venezuela by air, with support from Colombian airlines. Aid groups said delivering donations will require permits from the Venezuelan government. NPR reported that the government has previously been reluctant to accept aid from private organizations, particularly those linked to opposition groups, and that activists inside Venezuela have accused authorities of obstructing relief efforts and confiscating donations in some cases.

“This crisis will go on for some time,” Serrano said. “This is not something that will be solved in a matter of days.”