The ‘Mole Mayor’ from Caracas
Mexican rescuer Héctor Méndez, known as the ‘Major Mole’, described the situation facing Venezuela after the recent earthquakes as “terrible.” In an interview, he compared the impact to the earthquakes in Türkiye in 2023.
“The magnitude of the disaster has exceeded local response capacity in some areas.”
Méndez coordinates three Azteca Topos teams deployed in critical areas: Palos Grandes (Chacao municipality), La Guaira and Playa Los Cocos. In Palos Grandes, buildings of more than 10 stories collapsed; Rescuers have recovered at least 20 remains of deceased people.
International aid on the way
Brigades from Brazil, Panama, Argentina and the United States join the search efforts. Méndez, with more than four decades of experience in more than 30 countries, recalled his work in the 1985 earthquake in Mexico City and in previous emergencies in Venezuela.
Preliminary reports indicate more than 1,700 deaths and about 3,000 injuries after the earthquakes of June 24. Teams continue to remove debris in search of survivors in different regions of the country.
Via: The Local Voice




