Cries for Missing Loved Ones Echo Across Venezuela as Death Toll Nears 3,000

Darwin, 05 July : Ten days after two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela, grief continues to grip the country as families desperately search for missing loved ones. According to official figures, the death toll has climbed to nearly 3,000. While hopes of finding survivors beneath the rubble have largely faded, families and volunteers are still working tirelessly to recover the bodies of those who remain missing. Unofficial estimates suggest that more than 41,000 people are still unaccounted for.

Reuters reported the developments on Sunday, citing the Venezuelan government.

According to the report, the latest official update released on Saturday put the death toll at 2,954.

In the aftermath of the devastating earthquakes, thousands of families have lost their homes and are now living in makeshift shelters or out in the open under extremely difficult conditions. Government statistics indicate that more than 16,000 people have been left homeless.

The coastal region of La Guaira, located north of the capital Caracas, has emerged as the worst-hit area in one of Latin America’s deadliest natural disasters in recent history. Numerous high-rise buildings and residential complexes collapsed completely, making rescue operations significantly more challenging.

Ten days after the powerful earthquakes, measuring magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, international search-and-rescue teams have begun scaling back operations to locate survivors trapped beneath the debris. However, many families continue to wait at the disaster sites, hoping to recover the bodies of their missing relatives.

Experts say the first 72 hours after an earthquake are the most critical for rescuing survivors. Although a handful of people were still pulled alive from the rubble earlier this week, the chances of finding additional survivors are now considered extremely slim.

Signaling the conclusion of the international rescue mission, Interim President Delcy Rodríguez presented medals to members of foreign search-and-rescue teams. Several specially trained rescue dogs that played a crucial role in the operations were also honored during the ceremony.

Speaking at the event, Rodríguez said, “Venezuela is going through a period of profound grief. Many families have not yet given up hope of finding their loved ones alive, while countless others have lost everything.”

International rescue teams from the United States and several other countries began wrapping up their operations on Saturday. A search-and-rescue team from the Los Angeles County Fire Department said it was ending its mission after its latest search failed to locate any survivors. Teams from Florida and Virginia are also preparing to return home.

Meanwhile, many Venezuelans have criticized the government’s initial response to the disaster, saying it was too slow. They claim that before international assistance arrived, family members had already begun clearing rubble themselves in desperate attempts to rescue trapped relatives.

The government, however, rejected those allegations. President Rodríguez said thousands of soldiers and government personnel were deployed immediately after the earthquakes to carry out rescue and relief operations.

Heavy machinery has been deployed in La Guaira since Saturday to demolish unstable, collapsed buildings that pose further risks. At the same time, many families continue searching through the rubble in an effort to recover the bodies of their loved ones and arrange proper burials.

Volunteer Francisco Saskia said, “We are still recovering bodies. It is extremely difficult work. Today, we recovered two bodies and handed them over to their families.”

Public health experts have also warned that unless swift and effective measures are taken, infectious diseases could spread rapidly in the overcrowded emergency shelters.