'Every person saved is a miracle': Families call to trapped loved ones in region devastated by Venezuela quakes
BBC News 2026-06-27 19:18:57
Context: In the coastal state of La Guaira, Venezuela, a devastating series of earthquakes has left widespread destruction and a significant loss of life. The region, which borders the capital district containing nearby Caracas, has been one of the hardest-hit areas after back-to-back earthquakes struck Venezuela on Wednesday. Residents and families are desperately searching the rubble for their loved ones and belongings.
Key Facts
- The Venezuelan government has confirmed at least 1,430 deaths from the magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5 earthquakes, with hundreds of buildings collapsed and thousands of Venezuelans remaining under the rubble.
- The UN estimates around 50,000 people are missing, and the number of dead and injured rises by the hour as national rescue teams and international rescuers from Mexico, Spain, the US, and the UK work to find survivors.
- Jorge Rodríguez, president of the country's National Assembly, stated that "every person saved is a miracle" and that the government will not hide anything about the scale of this tragedy.
- In Catia La Mar, one of the coastal towns in La Guaira state, Jesús Suárez traveled 200km to search for his son, Jean Suárez, and faces a dilemma in rescuing him due to a lack of sophisticated equipment.
- The first 48 to 72 hours are crucial for rescuing people alive, although this window can be longer if those trapped have access to food and water, according to humanitarian aid agencies.