LA GUAIRA, Venezuela: With at least 920 people dead and over 51,000 missing following back-to-back earthquakes, Venezuelans took the hunt for lost loved ones into their own hands on Friday, blaming a lack of government rescuers.
Despite officials creating an image of a strong government response, residents searching amid the debris of their homes reported seeing few state rescue teams in the districts most severely affected by the deadly 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes that struck late Wednesday.
Families’ desperation was exacerbated by the lack of assistance, as the strain to locate buried survivors grew hourly. On Friday, the South American country commemorated almost two days since the catastrophe. Aid organizations believe that the first 48 to 72 hours are critical for recovering individuals alive, while this time window may be prolonged if they have access to food and water.
As pandemonium and traffic started to hinder search efforts, Venezuelan authorities declared on Friday night that they would close off entry to La Guaira, the core of the devastation. Although they did not specify who would be permitted in, government representatives stated that anyone wishing to enter would now need to obtain official permits.
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