A man and his son were rescued alive from the debris of a collapsed building in Venezuela, four days after two earthquakes hit the region. The dramatic 12-hour rescue operation took place in the state of La Guaira, which was severely impacted by the recent seismic events.
The confirmed death toll has risen to at least 1,450, with numerous individuals sustaining injuries. Search and rescue teams are tirelessly working to locate survivors, as tens of thousands of people are still unaccounted for.
Emergency crews, including French Civil Security and Fairfax County Urban Search and Rescue Team members from the U.S., successfully extracted the father and son from the rubble. Intravenous drips were prepared, and specialized search cameras were used to pinpoint their location before carefully removing the unstable debris.
Despite being weak from their ordeal, the rescued individuals are receiving hydration and necessary medical care. Similar international teams have previously saved a mother and her infant, as well as two 11-year-old boys, all with minor injuries.
Over 2,600 rescue workers from various countries are aiding in the search efforts, supported by nearly 140 trained search dogs. Ongoing aftershocks continue to pose a risk, with additional seismic activity recorded recently.
The disruption of communication networks has led many Venezuelans to rely on digital platforms to report missing loved ones. One database lists over 50,000 missing persons, although the status of many remains unknown. While 33 individuals were rescued over the weekend, the chances of finding more survivors diminish as the search operation progresses into its fifth day.