Residents Left Without Shelter as Venezuelan Earthquakes Leave Trail of Destruction
Two powerful earthquakes that struck Venezuela have left residents scrambling for safety, with many forced to sleep in parks and public squares as search and rescue operations continue in the aftermath of the disaster.
Death Toll Rises as Thousands Remain Missing
Venezuelan authorities report that the death toll from the magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 earthquakes has climbed to at least 1,420, while more than 51,000 people are still unaccounted for. The scale of the disaster has overwhelmed local infrastructure, and officials have restricted access to La Guaira, the area closest to the epicenter of the destruction, as rescue workers press on in their search for survivors.
Canadian Teacher Describes Terrifying Moments When the Ground Shook
Heather McKay, a Canadian teacher living in Venezuela who works at the British School Caracas, was stepping out of her apartment to meet a friend for dinner when the first earthquake hit. She described the experience as disorienting and alarming.
“It was like the sea, almost just kind of moving back and forth,” McKay told Global News. She said she immediately ran away from surrounding buildings when she realized what was happening.
“I saw a building and the fire escape… people were just running down,” she recalled. “There were just holes in so many homes. It was absolutely intense.”
Homes Left Uninhabitable as Structural Damage Mounts
McKay’s own apartment sustained significant damage in the quakes, forcing her to seek shelter with a colleague. She described gaping holes in her floor and an entire wall missing near the stairwell.
“My building has huge holes in the floor. An entire wall is missing near the stairs,” she said. McKay added that many residents remain too frightened to return to their homes, citing concerns about ongoing structural instability and the threat of aftershocks.
Ordinary Citizens Lead Rescue Efforts on the Ground
More than 14,000 military and police personnel have been deployed to the affected areas, but McKay said that much of the rescue work is being carried out by everyday citizens rather than organized emergency teams.
“People ask, ‘Do you have hammers? Do you have gloves? Do you have helmets?'” she said. “Many rescues were just ordinary citizens wearing motorcycle helmets and digging with their hands.”
McKay noted that many people fled their homes with virtually nothing. “People were on the street in their pajamas trying to argue with their pets but had no idea,” she said. “So many people will have lost everything… literally everything except the clothes they are wearing.”
Displaced Residents Face Harsh Conditions Outdoors
With their homes damaged or destroyed and aftershocks continuing to rattle the region, many displaced residents have had no choice but to sleep in plazas and public parks. McKay warned that forecasted rain could make conditions even more dire for those sheltering outdoors.
“There are people camping in plazas and parks. They can’t go anywhere,” she said.
Relief Window Narrows as Recovery Expected to Be Long
Kelsey Lemon, vice president of international cooperation for the Red Cross, noted that relief agencies generally consider the first 48 to 72 hours after a disaster to be the most critical window for finding survivors trapped beneath collapsed structures.
“We expect a long road to recovery,” Lemon said, underscoring the magnitude of the challenge facing Venezuelan communities in the weeks and months ahead.
International Aid Arrives, but More Help Is Needed
Venezuelan authorities confirmed on Friday that 861 volunteers from Mexico, the United States, El Salvador, Switzerland, Colombia, and other countries had arrived in the country, with additional international teams expected. Despite this support, McKay stressed that the need remains enormous.
Despite the devastation, McKay praised the resilience and generosity of the Venezuelan people. “Venezuelans are some of the hardest working and kindest people you will ever meet,” she said. “Everyone is doing their best, but we need help.”
Canadian Citizen Says Government Communication Has Been Lacking
McKay said she registered her presence in Venezuela with Global Affairs Canada and had received updates following security incidents earlier in the year, but has heard nothing from the agency since the earthquakes struck. She urged the international community not to turn its attention away from Venezuela as the news cycle moves on.
“Right now it’s in the news, but in a week, in a month it’s not going to be fixed,” McKay said. “Please don’t forget Venezuela.”
