Cries Heard Under Rubble During Venezuela Earthquake Rescue

Search and rescue efforts are ongoing in Venezuela to locate victims buried under rubble after a powerful earthquake struck the South American nation.

Rescue teams working through the night can still hear the voices of people trapped alive under collapsed structures, according to reports on Thursday. The moment was described by Chacao Mayor Gustavo Duque as he detailed the rescue operations in the capital region of Caracas.

In a video statement posted on Instagram, Duque said approximately 23 people have been pulled alive from collapsed buildings in the area. Efforts continue to reach others still trapped. “Thank God, we hear the voices of people who are alive and we are going to rescue them,” Duque said. “We will not leave this place until we rescue the last person we can save alive, and I am confident that with God’s help, we will succeed.” He added that rescued victims are receiving medical treatment at local clinics.

Two major earthquakes, described by the US Geological Survey as a “doublet” seismic phenomenon, struck Yaracuy state west of Caracas on Wednesday afternoon. The USGS reported a magnitude 7.5 mainshock occurred just 39 seconds after a magnitude 7.2 tremor.

Interim President Delcy Rodriguez announced at a press conference on Thursday that at least 32 people have been killed and 700 others injured by the twin quakes, which were followed by dozens of aftershocks. Official figures do not yet include victims from La Guaira, the worst-affected area near Caracas which has been declared a disaster zone. The Altamira and El Pariso districts of the capital were also severely damaged.