Venezuelans spent Friday clawing through the wreckage of their homes with their bare hands, desperately searching for missing relatives as the human toll from two catastrophic earthquakes surged to at least 920 dead and more than 51,000 missing. Many said they had seen few government rescue teams, forcing families and neighbours to take on the dangerous work themselves.
The back‑to‑back 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude quakes struck late Wednesday, unleashing some of the worst destruction the country has seen in more than a century. Nearly two days later, the race to find survivors grew more urgent. Aid agencies warn that the first 48 to 72 hours are critical for pulling people out alive though survival is still possible if trapped victims have access to food or water.
In the hardest‑hit areas, residents described scenes of chaos and grief as they dug through collapsed buildings without equipment or guidance. The absence of visible state rescue teams deepened frustration and fear, even as authorities projected confidence in their response.
By Friday night, officials announced they would block access to La Guaira, the devastated epicentre, saying uncontrolled crowds and traffic were hindering search operations. Entry will now require official permits, though authorities offered few details on who qualifies.
Meanwhile, a sweeping international aid effort accelerated. Dozens of rescue teams from around the world have already arrived or are en route, bringing specialised equipment and trained personnel to support overwhelmed local responders.
“Each person saved is a miracle,” said Jorge Rodríguez, president of Venezuela’s National Assembly. “We are not going to hide absolutely anything about the magnitude of this tragedy.”
As families continue to search through the ruins, the scale of the disaster and the long road to recovery is only beginning to emerge.
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