Venezuela earthquake rescue efforts yield few remaining survivors

Rescue Efforts Continue in Venezuela Amid Ongoing Crisis

A handful of late rescues have been reported in Venezuela, four days after devastating twin earthquakes struck near the coastal area of La Guiara on Wednesday. The earthquakes, which measured 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude, resulted in an initial death toll of 1,430 confirmed fatalities.

According to reports, rescue teams from El Salvador and Peru successfully rescued a 60-year-old woman who had been trapped for 86 hours. She was taken to a hospital in Caracas for treatment, where her condition remains delicate.

US rescue teams also reported rescuing a man and his son from the ruins on Sunday morning. Additionally, an infant was rescued from a collapsed building, while Colombian and Mexican officials said two 11-year-old boys had been rescued in separate operations.

Venezuela’s interim president, Delcy Rodriguez, stated that at least 33 people had been rescued over the weekend. The UN reported that 2,200 members of foreign rescue teams were working across the country.

The Venezuelan government has faced criticism for its response to the disaster. In one instance, residents blocked an excavator from leaving a site and pulled the operator from its cabin shortly after state workers took selfies in front of flattened buildings.

Rescue efforts continue, with many areas still inaccessible due to the ongoing crisis. Family members have marked several collapsed homes where they have been unable to recover the bodies of their loved ones. Aid, including water and food distributions, has only just started to reach the affected area.

The international community is providing support, with Washington sending rescue teams and pledging $150m in support of the response by the UN and other humanitarian groups.

Source: Al Jazeera