"Non ho mai pensato che mi avrebbero salvato": la testimonianza di un sopravvissuto che ha trascorso 30 ore sotto le macerie in Venezuela

The death toll from the recent earthquakes in Venezuela has risen to nearly 3,000, according to official reports released by the government. In addition, more than 16,000 people have been left homeless following the disaster. The latest update indicates that 2,954 people have died, up from the previous count of 2,595. The number of injured individuals has also increased, reaching 16,500, while 6,462 people have been rescued so far. Approximately 16,000 residents now lack shelter after their homes were destroyed or severely damaged. These figures reflect the growing impact of the seismic events that struck the country on June 24.

According to the official information, 885 buildings were affected by the earthquakes, with 189 collapsing completely. To assist the victims, nearly 30,000 personnel and 3,305 international rescue workers are working tirelessly. The government has confirmed that 180 collapsed buildings were located in La Guaira, five in Caracas, three in Chacao, and one in Tucacas. Meanwhile, the platform "Desaparecidos Terremotos Venezuela" reports that 31,708 people remain missing, while 14,172 have been located among the 82,072 initially reported as missing.

The first earthquake had a magnitude of 7.2 and its epicenter was 21 kilometers west of Morón. Just over a minute later, another quake occurred, this time measuring 7.5, and was located just a few kilometers away from the initial epicenter. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), these tremors were powerful enough to be felt even in Bogotá, the capital of neighboring Colombia. Some residents there decided to leave their buildings and stay outdoors as a precaution. A journalist from AFP described seeing a 22-story building in the Altamira neighborhood completely destroyed, with desperate people searching for loved ones amid the rubble.

In Caracas, Carmen Guédez, a 69-year-old woman who was visiting her sister's home when the shaking began, recounted how she and her family prayed together during the chaos. She said they could not move until the tremors subsided. The intensity of the earthquake was such that it caused widespread panic and fear among the population.

One survivor, Pedro Cordido, shared his harrowing experience of being trapped under the debris for almost 30 hours before being rescued. He was living in a 12-story building in La Guaira when it collapsed suddenly. His wife and stepson were lost in the collapse, and he remained trapped until a group of volunteer rescuers found him. The rescuers formed a human chain, using only small flashlights to navigate through the wreckage. One of the rescuers, Erick Roa, a former military nurse, spoke about how he kept Pedro calm throughout the operation, encouraging him to stay still until they could free him.

Roa’s motivation came partly from a personal journey. Two years ago, he faced a deep crisis and attempted suicide but was prevented by an evangelical pastor. Since then, he has dedicated himself to helping others, carrying the phrase "Faith in God" tattooed on one of his fingers. On the day of the earthquakes, he received a message from a nephew informing him that an ex-partner was missing in La Guaira. After confirming that she was safe, he chose to stay and help with the rescue efforts alongside other volunteers.

The tragedy has also claimed the lives of notable individuals, including a Venezuelan actress and her mother, whose deaths were confirmed by local media. The ongoing search for the missing continues, with authorities and volunteers working around the clock to locate survivors and provide aid to those affected. As the situation evolves, the focus remains on ensuring that all necessary resources are available to support the displaced population and address the long-term challenges posed by the disaster.