Caracas, Venezuela, remains in shock days after two powerful earthquakes that claimed nearly 2,000 lives and injured over 10,000 people. The northern state of La Guaira is still devastated, with residents living outdoors after hundreds of buildings collapsed.
Many inhabitants fear returning to their homes because of ongoing aftershocks, while others have lost their houses entirely. Compounding the crisis, heavy rainstorms have battered areas near Caracas since Sunday, further displacing the already vulnerable population.
Daniel, a 38‑year‑old survivor, described how he and others helped people evacuate during the quake. He expressed frustration that aid has not reached La Guaira, noting that earlier assistance could have saved many lives.
He reported that water supplies were not provided and that authorities had neglected the city. His building in the Caribe urbanization—part of a social housing program—remained partially intact, but other structures in the area collapsed.
Daniel said he was grateful to be alive, noting that in other towers people could not escape, resulting in deaths and injuries. He described irreversible damage, with collapsed floors and warped stairwells rendering parts of the building uninhabitable.
Neighbors organized initial rescue efforts, saving many lives in the absence of police or National Guard. The government has militarized La Guaira and imposed access restrictions to manage the situation.
Officials have reported that 22,619 people nationwide have been affected. The National Assembly stated that 855 buildings were damaged and 189 collapsed, while satellite imagery suggested that up to 58,870 buildings could be affected across the country.
By Tuesday morning, 90% of electrical service had been restored in La Guaira, aiding the recovery effort. International rescue teams from 28 countries—totaling 2,100 workers—have been deployed to search for survivors.
