Rescue teams are racing against time in Venezuela, three days after two strong earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude struck Wednesday. At least 920 people have been confirmed dead and more than 51,000 remain missing.
The near-consecutive shallow earthquakes devastated the coastal area around La Guaira. Authorities have restricted access to the area since Friday evening as traffic congestion began hampering search efforts.
With government rescue teams scarce, residents in the hardest-hit areas have grown desperate, digging through rubble with their bare hands. Aid organizations warn the critical 72-hour survival window is closing.
Officials said anyone wanting to enter the La Guaira area must obtain official permits but gave no details on who would be allowed in.
Residents report seeing very few state rescue teams in the worst-affected areas, contradicting the government's portrayal of a robust response.
“Every person rescued is a miracle,” said National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez. “We will not hide anything about the scale of this tragedy.”
Government forces have distributed food and water to survivors in La Guaira. Acting President Delcy Rodriguez declared the government is mounting a comprehensive response in “these critical hours to rescue the living.” She welcomed the arrival of international rescue teams and humanitarian aid.
Rodriguez said La Guaira has been “militarized” and more aid is on the way, but residents say it is only a fraction of what is needed. She, a former vice president, took power in January after the United States detained and removed former President Nicolas Maduro from office.
Venezuela has been in economic crisis for more than a decade, and many reject the legitimacy of the political movement Rodriguez represents.
The death toll is expected to rise, as people report tens of thousands missing on independent digital databases. Those numbers may include people unreachable due to lost phone service, and some reports may be duplicates.
As of Friday noon, more than 3,300 people were injured, and authorities said 243 had been rescued. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) estimates up to 6.76 million people affected, including about 2 million in Caracas alone.
Experts say the devastation was worsened by the two shallow quakes occurring in quick succession. Loyce Pace, Americas regional director for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, said “people are still terrified to return to what was once their homes.”
Venezuelan authorities said 861 volunteers from Mexico, the United States, El Salvador, Switzerland, Colombia, and other countries were already on the ground, with more arriving from elsewhere.
