The tragedy of the June 24 earthquake in the Venezuelan state of La Guaira leaves at least 2,295 dead. Thousands of people remain missing. Hundreds of families tour hospitals and makeshift morgues to identify bodies before they are sent to mass graves.
Number of victims and rescue efforts
The forensic teams, led by technician Joel Mirabal, work tirelessly. According to specialists, between 60 and 70 percent of the victims are recognized by family or neighbors. The advanced state of decomposition complicates tasks. Refrigerated containers have been installed due to the increase in bodies. The authorities do not rule out opening mass graves.
Around the port of La Guaira and the temporary morgues, dozens of families remain formed for hours. They use tattoos, scars or clothing to confirm identities. The uncertainty about the fate of the missing aggravates the pain.
The drama of families
Rosa López recounted the difficult process of finding the body of her son-in-law, José Antonio Toledo, who died when the building where he worked as a security guard collapsed. After visiting several sites, the family managed to identify his remains. Without resources for a funeral service, the mayor’s office gave them a free space to bury him.
Rescuers estimate that recovery efforts will last at least three months due to the number of collapsed buildings. Thousands of volunteers have joined the search, hoping that families can say goodbye to their loved ones.
