Venezuela earthquake rescues highlight five remarkable rescue operations

Rescue Efforts Underway in Venezuela Amidst Ongoing Crisis

A series of magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 earthquakes struck northern Venezuela on Wednesday, resulting in widespread destruction and over 1,400 reported fatalities. Rescue workers and volunteers have been working tirelessly to locate survivors, with foreign teams arriving in the affected areas.

In La Guaira, a state approximately 40km north of Caracas, rescue efforts are ongoing. According to interim President Delcy Rodriguez, recovery operations continue, with people being rescued alive. The government has announced that classes will be suspended at schools for an additional week and that 75 percent of the electricity supply in La Guaira has been restored.

The crisis in Venezuela has been ongoing for years, with the country facing a deep political and economic crisis. The government has expressed gratitude to civilian volunteers who have been ferrying aid to La Guaira, but has also restricted access to the road due to traffic congestion.

International support has poured in, with countries such as the United States, Brazil, El Salvador, and Colombia sending search and rescue teams and humanitarian aid. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has released $2.5m to support recovery efforts.

Recent incidents have brought rare moments of relief during this tumultuous time. A wailing infant was recovered from the rubble on Saturday, while an 11-year-old boy named Moises was saved by a Colombian rescue team after being trapped under debris for several hours. Another 11-year-old boy, Rodriguez, was rescued by a Mexican team.

The US Department of State has praised the operation by US rescue crews, posting a video on X showing the moment when helmet-clad emergency workers removed the infant from the rubble.

Source: Al Jazeera