Venezuela earthquake latest: Two 11-year-old boys found alive days later; search for survivors continues
Two 11-year-old boys were rescued from the rubble of an earthquake in Venezuela over the weekend, giving families a rare hope as rescue teams continue to search for survivors.
Interim President Delcy Rodriguez said 33 people had been rescued from collapsed buildings in the past two days. The rescue operations come days after two powerful earthquakes struck the country within seconds.
Despite these successes, the situation remains serious. Officials said at least 1,450 people were dead and thousands more were missing. As families enter another night of waiting, rescuers are racing against time to find people who may still be trapped under the rubble.
Rescue efforts continue and 33 survivors have been found
On Wednesday, Venezuela was hit by earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5, just 39 seconds apart. Venezuela’s interim president Delcy Rodriguez said nearly 800 buildings collapsed after the earthquake, leaving many people trapped under concrete and rubble.
Rescuers continue to search damaged communities even after the critical first 72 hours, which experts say is often the most important period to find survivors. Officials believe some people may still be alive if they had access to food or water.
Meanwhile, relatives spent days searching for their loved ones. In some areas, families are digging through the rubble themselves while waiting for heavy equipment to arrive.
Also read: Venezuela earthquake: Argentinian footballer Lucas Trejo’s first reaction after family tragedy
Moise and the boys rescued from the rubble
The most exciting rescue involved an 11-year-old boy named Moises. Colombia’s National Disaster Risk Management Agency (UNGRD) said he was trapped under rubble about three meters deep.
According to the UNGRD, it took rescue teams six hours of careful operations to free him. Video shared by rescuers showed Moises being pulled from the wreckage after several days underground, his eyes covered to protect him from the sun.
Reuters reported that rescuers were informed via walkie-talkie that the boy had been found near his mother and sister, but that they did not survive.
A few hours later, Rodriguez shared another video on X showing the rescue of a second 11-year-old boy in Cala Barleda. Every life saved is a sign of hope for Venezuela, she wrote.
Cala Bareda becomes rescue center
The coastal area of La Guaira has suffered the worst damage, and Cala Barleda is becoming a major rescue center. French and American rescue teams also rescued a father and his teenage son from the rubble on Sunday, AFP reported.
Many residents are now sleeping in their cars, at airports or on vacant lots because they fear more buildings could collapse. The Cala Barleda golf course has been transformed into a temporary hospital, donation center and supply base for emergency rescue teams.
International support continues to grow. Rescue workers from Mexico, Spain, Qatar, the United States and the United Kingdom also joined the local rescue operation. Speaking on Saturday, U.N. aid chief Tom Fletcher said 39 search and rescue teams, nearly 2,000 personnel, 111 dogs, medical teams and specialized drones had been deployed to help find survivors.
