It became evident that a major disaster had struck La Guaira, a port town in Venezuela. The day after two consecutive earthquakes hit the region, I navigated the area to assess the aftermath. The site where apartments once stood had transformed into a massive heap of debris.
No,a volunteer rescuer informed me.This is just the first mountain. There is more.
The devastation was complete. The landscape was leveled, making it hard to view the full extent of the damage. Only drone images that emerged days later allowed some understanding, although partial, of the events.
One of the affected areas was OPPE 26, a public housing project developed under the administration of Hugo Chávez. This project housed many residents who had previously lost their homes during the severe mudslides of 1999. La Guaira experienced the most severe damage from the quakes, and the high population density at OPPE 26 suggests it might face significant casualties.
Upon my arrival, a somber atmosphere pervaded the scene. With minimal assistance from external rescuers and no access to heavy machinery, only the sounds of basic tools could be heard as residents attempted to rescue loved ones trapped under the debris. Bodies were retrieved and placed on the ground, usually covered with blankets.
One resident, Oswaldo Tovar, 45, used a small hammer to create a hole large enough to uncover his wife and daughter, who were trapped. Unable to extricate them, he remained by their side, waiting for assistance.
Mr. Tovar shared that his wife was named Ivonne Ladera, aged 46, and his daughter was eight years old. When I asked for his daughter’s name, he could not reply.
Written by Eric Nagourney. Drone piloting by Andres Conde.