Interim President of Venezuela, Delcy Rodriguez, on 1/7 declared seven days of national mourning to commemorate the victims of the twin earthquakes. The period of mourning began at 18:00 on the same day.

"We share the pain with families who have lost loved ones, and we pray for the injured, the missing, and the affected communities. Venezuela's heart is broken by the loss of life caused by this devastating earthquake. In this deeply sorrowful moment, we stand with those enduring this tragedy and reaffirm our commitment to support and protect them," she stated.

On the same day, President of the Venezuelan National Assembly, Jorge Rodriguez, updated the victim statistics, stating that 2,295 people had died and over 11,000 were injured in the disaster. The United Nations estimates that about 50,000 victims are still missing.

Rescue workers move bodies from a collapsed building due to the earthquake in Catia la Mar, La Guaira state, Venezuela on 30/6. Photo: AFP

Most of the collapsed buildings in La Guaira city, the hardest-hit municipality, were marked with the letter "D" (indicating fatalities). This suggests that rescue teams had searched those sites but found no signs of life.

"We will not waste time in places where there is no longer hope," said Javier Rodes, head of the Spanish rescue team.

Experts believe that trapped victims are unlikely to survive beyond 72 hours. However, there have been exceptional cases, such as a 3-year-old boy rescued on 30/6 after six days buried under rubble.

"No one else will be brought out from here, whether alive or dead," said Jose Rafael, a resident of Caraballeda town in La Guaira state, standing amidst the ruins. His son went missing after the earthquake.

At another site, many residents were disappointed when a US rescue worker announced "no signs of life" under the debris. They had held onto hope that their loved ones were still alive after hearing sounds from beneath.

The current priority is sustaining life, as many people are displaced and homeless, with food and clean water becoming increasingly scarce. "Aid is distributed here, but sometimes people almost fight for food," said Daniela Armas, a vendor in La Guaira, after queuing for food at an emergency shelter.

Humanitarian aid supplies gathered at a facility in La Guaira state on 30/6. Photo: AFP

Theft and looting are occurring in many areas. Four police officers were arrested on 1/7 after being caught stealing property from the rubble.

Queues for aid are growing longer, while many residents can only sustain themselves through the generosity of volunteers and support from those around them. "The situation is very serious," stated Lia Poggio, Head of the Venezuela mission for the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

"Every time I eat, I feel guilty knowing that many people still have nothing to eat," shared Aysmar Lopez, a volunteer bringing home-cooked meals to several shelters.

The World Food Program (WFP) on 30/6 appealed for 50 million USD in donations to provide food for approximately 500,000 people in Venezuela for three months. Health officials also warned of an increasing risk of disease outbreaks.

By Huyen Le (According to AFP, Democrata)