Venezuela is in a dire situation, three days after two powerful earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 on the Richter scale leveled areas near the capital, Caracas, with authorities and residents racing against time to locate survivors amid the rubble.

The death toll has risen to at least 920, while more than 51,000 people remain missing, according to the latest figures. More than 3,300 people have been injured, and 243 people have been rescued so far.

SEE ALSO: Incredible Stories from Venezuela: Mother Shields Her Daughter, Woman Gives Birth Amid the Rubble (VIDEO)

Rescue operations are focused primarily on the state of La Guaira, where the epicenter of the disaster is located, with authorities announcing that access to the area will now be permitted only with special permits, citing the chaos and traffic congestion that are hindering the work of rescue teams.

Drone footage captures the flattened buildings:

A race through the rubble

However, many residents have taken it upon themselves to search for their loved ones, criticizing the limited presence of state rescue forces in heavily affected areas. Despite government assurances of a “strong mobilization,” the situation on the ground remains disheartening.

“Every person who is rescued is a miracle,” said National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez, adding that “nothing will be concealed regarding the scale of this tragedy.”

The testimonies of residents who remain outside the destroyed buildings, watching the rescue efforts with bated breath, are heart-wrenching. In La Guaira, Nazareth Jiménez broke down in tears as neighbors tried to break through the concrete slabs with tools to reach her trapped relatives.

“My God, how are we going to get them out of there?” she said in despair, appealing for help and heavy machinery from the government and the international community. “There are still people alive in there.”

International Aid and Militarization

The government announced that it is distributing food and water to the survivors, while Acting President Delcy Rodríguez spoke of “critical hours for rescue efforts,” while welcoming international aid missions. According to authorities, 861 rescue workers from Mexico, the U.S., El Salvador, Switzerland, Colombia, and other countries have arrived in the country, with more expected.

La Guaira has been placed under military control; however, residents claim that the aid that has arrived remains insufficient given the extent of the devastation.

Chaos, looting, and shortages

Scenes of chaos have been reported in several areas, with lines forming outside stores and pharmacies, while in some cases there have been incidents of looting of basic goods such as food and essential supplies. In one incident, a woman threw herself on the ground to protect diapers she had purchased for her baby from a store.

At the same time, rescue operations are being hampered by traffic congestion and noise, with rescuers from Mexico and other countries repeatedly asking for silence so they can detect possible signs of life beneath the rubble.

Human tragedies and anguish

The personal stories of the survivors are also heart-wrenching. Omar Reyes said he lost about 20 family members, describing how he “was left alone in this life,” while other residents continue to wait for hours outside destroyed buildings, unaware of the fate of their loved ones.

In another instance, 28-year-old Yueldi Cadenas reported that she saw her house collapse right before her eyes, without being able to get any response from her mother, her son, and her brother, who were inside.

A Critical Window of Time

International humanitarian organizations emphasize that the 48- to 72-hour window following disasters of this magnitude is crucial for locating survivors, although it can be extended in cases where basic means of survival are available.

The International Organization for Migration estimates that up to 6.76 million people may have been affected, with approximately two million in the capital, Caracas, alone, as the double earthquake exacerbated the already fragile state of the infrastructure.

Political Implications

The disaster poses a massive challenge for the country’s political leadership, with Acting President Delcy Rodríguez facing intense criticism over the effectiveness of the government’s response, in a country already grappling with a long-standing economic and political crisis.

At the same time, she stated that she had been in contact with U.S. President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who confirmed the U.S. commitment to sending aid and rescue teams.

Source: Protothema.gr