- Venezuelans in quake-affected areas have expressed anger over the state's response to the natural disaster.
- Rescue workers from Fairfax County, Virginia, listened intently on Sunday for any sign of life amid the rubble of a multi-story building in La Guaira, Venezuela. They heard two distinct taps – what they believe is the sound of someone trapped under the collapsed structure.
- At least 1,450 people are confirmed dead following the two earthquakes that rocked Venezuela last week, according to National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez in a televised address on Sunday. The lawmaker added that 3,150 people have been injured.
- The BBC's Orla Guerin reports from the scenes of rubble in Catia la Mar, a coastal city in northern Venezuela, where locals feel the state has let them down.
- Volunteers are racing to locate survivors who may still be trapped under rubble of fallen buildings.
Venezuelans are voicing their anger over the government's response to the devastating earthquakes that struck last week, resulting in at least 1,450 confirmed deaths and 3,150 injuries. Many locals feel abandoned by the state, particularly in areas like Catia la Mar, where the destruction is extensive.16
In response to the disaster, Venezuela’s acting president Delcy Rodríguez announced the formation of a presidential commission to evaluate the damage to housing and infrastructure. The government plans to implement a traffic light system to assess the safety of homes.
As rescue efforts continue, international aid has arrived, with 2,624 rescue workers and 137 search dogs deployed to assist in recovery operations. Volunteers are tirelessly searching for survivors trapped under the rubble, with reports of distinct tapping sounds indicating potential life beneath the debris.
The 72-hour period following such disasters is critical, often referred to as the 'golden window' for rescue. A CNN team witnessed a successful rescue in La Guaira, where a 15-year-old girl and her dog were saved from the wreckage. As the death toll rises, the urgency for effective recovery efforts intensifies.
“Venezuelans in quake-affected areas are voicing frustration over the government's response to the disaster. Rescue teams are actively searching for survivors amid rising death tolls.”
BBC
