**Aftershock Hits Caracas During Critical Hours for Venezuela Rescue Efforts**
Caracas, Venezuela – A strong aftershock measuring 4.6 on the Richter scale struck Venezuela on Monday, compounding the challenges faced by rescue teams still searching for survivors of last week’s devastating earthquakes. The United States Geological Survey reported that the aftershock occurred at a depth of 10 kilometers (6 miles) with its epicenter located north of Caraballeda, a coastal town that has been significantly affected by the recent seismic activity.
This aftershock comes on the heels of two powerful earthquakes that rattled northwestern Venezuela last Wednesday, registering magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5. These earthquakes have led to a tragic death toll, with close to 1,500 confirmed fatalities and hundreds of buildings reduced to rubble. The situation remains dire, with tens of thousands of individuals still unaccounted for, prompting a massive search and rescue operation.
Jorge Rodriguez, the leader of the Venezuelan National Assembly, indicated that there were no immediate reports of additional damage from the aftershock. However, the psychological toll on residents is evident. Concepcion Hernandez, a 51-year-old resident of the Chacao municipality in Caracas, expressed her distress as she evacuated her apartment following the tremor. “Here we are again, back in the street. I don’t know when we’ll have a moment of true peace,” she told reporters.
Rescue efforts are currently concentrated in La Guaira, the hardest-hit area, where international and local teams are racing against time. The critical 72-hour window for rescuing trapped victims has already passed, yet a few rescues over the weekend provided a glimmer of hope. Interim President Delcy Rodriguez stated on Sunday, “Today we have recovered people alive and, therefore, operations are not being suspended. We always maintain hope.”
The search and rescue operations involve approximately 30,000 Venezuelan workers and 2,700 foreign experts from various countries. Venezuelan authorities have reported receiving assistance from 24 nations, which have sent over 500 tonnes of supplies, along with rescue personnel and specialized teams equipped with search dogs.
Among the stories emerging from the disaster is that of a young man named Aaron Levi, who was rescued from a collapsed building in La Guaira. Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele shared the news on social media, highlighting the collaborative efforts of rescue teams from Venezuela, Mexico, and El Salvador. Reports indicate that Levi spent 106 hours trapped under the rubble before being found.
As rescue teams continue their work, families of the missing are left waiting anxiously for news. Al Jazeera’s Teresa Bo reported from Catia La Mar in La Guaira, noting that relatives have marked several collapsed homes where they have been unable to recover the bodies of their loved ones. “The relatives are waiting for them outside for their bodies to be retrieved,” she reported, capturing the emotional toll of the disaster.
In addition to the immediate rescue efforts, the delivery of aid has begun to reach the hardest-hit areas, where many residents have been forced to camp outside due to the destruction of their homes. Basic necessities such as water and food are in critical demand, and the situation is being described as a significant test for both the international community and the newly established government of Rodriguez, who took office following the controversial removal of President Nicolas Maduro earlier this year.
As the rescue operations continue, the focus remains on finding survivors and providing relief to those affected by this catastrophic event. The aftershock serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by the nation as it grapples with the aftermath of natural disasters amid a backdrop of political and economic turmoil.