08/07/2026 03:04 - Internacionales
On June 24, 2026, a double earthquake with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5 severely struck northern Venezuela, leaving unprecedented devastation. The state of La Guaira (a major coastal region near the capital, Caracas) was considered ground zero of the disaster, with 190 buildings collapsed and 856 structures affected, as detailed by Parliament President Jorge Rodríguez in a message broadcasted via Telegram.
According to TN, the Venezuelan government updated the tragic toll on Tuesday, July 7, 2026: there are now 3,685 deceased (an increase of 150 victims compared to Monday) and 16,740 injured. Additionally, it was reported that 17,907 people lost their homes, prompting the setup of 87 temporary camps.
Given the magnitude of the tragedy, with nearly 300 unclaimed bodies, authorities had to create an emergency cemetery an hour's drive from La Guaira, in a remote sector away from the La Esperanza cemetery.
As reported by BBC Mundo, long rows of white crosses stretch across the top of a hill. Authorities insist that this is not a mass grave; rather, each burial is done individually. Every grave features a cross, white stones, and an identification code linking the body to a file.
Community leader Elis Zabala explained to BBC Mundo that the work is being done with dedication alongside a team of volunteers. Heavy machinery has been working for over 10 days digging trenches to bury the victims recovered from the rubble.
One of the major criticisms has been the lack of official rescue teams to find the missing. Although the government maintains its official count at 157 people whose whereabouts are unknown (unupdated since June 25), the citizen initiative Desaparecidos Terremoto Venezuela registers over 30,000 reports. The UN, for its part, warned that there could be around 50,000 missing.
However, amidst the sorrow, miracles emerge. Such is the case of Fabiana Blanco (12), who was rescued alive after remaining 32 hours under the rubble of the Ritamar Palace building in Caraballeda. The girl survived by eating ketchup and grated cheese she found among the ruins, emerging with a fractured foot and a smile that went viral, bringing hope to a grieving nation.
The Venezuelan government reported that 29,567 security forces and 28,362 volunteers are deployed. Additionally, 9,603 tons of food have been distributed. The international community has also responded: Argentina sent 16 tons of aid and over 100 doctors, and figures like La Plata firefighter Micaela López Fariña participated in vital humanitarian missions for the region.
Alfredo S. Quiroga
