Authorities in Venezuela have initiated the demolition of buildings in the state of La Guaira, which stands as the area hardest hit by the twin earthquakes that occurred on June 24. Official data indicates that the seismic event resulted in more than 5,500 fatalities and caused 190 buildings to collapse, while an additional 856 structures sustained damage. Furthermore, nearly 17,000 people were injured in the disaster.
On Thursday, soldiers cordoned off the site before utilizing dynamite to bring down the first ruined structure: a 12-storey residential tower that had partially collapsed and was leaning toward the street. Local resident Yenith Salcedo, 66, described the experience of the blast as an intensely overwhelming sensation. She noted that she had received a community alert via WhatsApp regarding the explosion, prompting her to leave her home and wait near the beach.
While the government has not yet released an official count of the missing, experts estimate that as many as 10,000 people may be unaccounted for. Rescue teams and family members remain active in the area, continuing to search through the rubble for victims and survivors. Transport Minister Francisco Garces emphasized during a press conference two days ago that no structures will be demolished as long as there is a possibility that victims or survivors are still to be recovered.
