Rescue Efforts in Venezuela After Earthquakes

The Los Angeles County Fire Department’s international urban search and rescue team has arrived in Caraballeda, a coastal town in Venezuela hit hard by two powerful earthquakes. Equipped with rescue dogs, sophisticated listening devices, and cutting tools, they aim to locate survivors in the collapsed 10-story high-rise buildings.

Residents have reported to authorities that they believe eight individuals are trapped beneath the rubble. Assistant Fire Chief Trey Espy noted that rescue workers have detected sounds suggesting possible signs of life beneath the debris.

Venezuela was struck by two intense earthquakes, one with a magnitude of 7.5 and the other 7.2, resulting in nearly 1,500 deaths and tens of thousands missing. The likelihood of rescuing survivors decreases as time progresses. Espy described the devastation as ‘very grim,’ with many high-rises destroyed or shifted off their foundations.

In response, Southern Californians have been actively gathering supplies and seeking information about missing loved ones. In Pasadena, volunteers at Chamo Venezuelan Cuisine have been collecting essential supplies, such as bandages, gauze, and painkillers. Augusto Giancola, helping with the effort, mentioned a steady stream of people contributing to the cause, bringing ‘trunks full of stuff.’

In downtown Los Angeles, volunteers gathered outside the Venezuelan restaurant Full Arepas to collect donations. Items such as toothbrushes, baby wipes, and instant soup were organized and packaged into boxes, often decorated with hearts.

Kelly Montano, owner of Full Arepas, is personally affected as her family members are missing following the quakes. She is maintaining strength by organizing relief efforts while awaiting news.

By afternoon, the L.A. County rescue team began operations at another partially collapsed 10-story building where a guard was trapped in the underground parking garage security booth. Espy mentioned that although the man could be heard, he was not visible. The team anticipated a challenging 12-hour operation to reach and rescue him.

The rescue team, known as USA-2, includes firefighters, paramedics, doctors, and structural engineers. They have joined forces with USA-1, a team from Fairfax County, Virginia, which has already succeeded in rescuing three individuals, including a 9-month-old baby. The U.S. State Department organized this international rescue mission, endorsing their achievement as a sign that hope persists despite challenging circumstances.