Across the cityscape of La Guaira, Venezuela, where buildings have been reduced to piles of rubble, rescue crews and grieving families have been working tirelessly since the two powerful earthquakes struck northern Venezuela on Wednesday. For those searching for their missing loved ones, every passing hour diminishes the chances of a successful rescue, yet many continue to hold onto hope.
For some, the silence of the debris was broken by the sound of a whisper or an infant’s cry. On Thursday, José Alberto Gallipoli stood before the wreckage of a collapsed apartment complex, repeatedly calling for his adult son, Jofram. Gallipoli, who was in Caracas approximately 20 miles away when the 7.2- and 7.5-magnitude tremors struck, had traveled to La Guaira on foot to bypass blocked roads. Descending into the basement of the ruined seven-story structure, he shouted his son’s name with fading faith until he finally heard a faint response.
Jofram, along with his wife and their 4-year-old son, had been buried for more than 24 hours. Gallipoli described the situation as devastating, noting the lack of air, food, electricity, and water for the trapped family. Rescuers worked for hours without proper equipment, guided by the family’s voices and knocks on debris. Footage recorded the moment the family emerged safely, with the young boy appearing unharmed and telling rescuers he felt okay.
The destruction in La Guaira is among the most severe in the country, forcing thousands of survivors to take shelter in open areas or tents. Acting President Delcy Rodríguez confirmed the region has been militarized to facilitate humanitarian aid. As of Friday afternoon, official reports indicated 920 deaths and over 3,000 injuries, with more than 70,000 individuals listed as missing on a local volunteer database.
In another harrowing rescue, 18-day-old infant and his mother, Dayana Patiño, were saved from the ruins of an eight-story apartment building. Trapped under heavy debris, Patiño held her newborn for hours before volunteers heard their voices. Merly Adreina Quintero, a volunteer, reported that the pair had been missing for approximately 12 hours and were initially presumed dead. With the help of first responders, the mother and child were reached early Friday morning. Both were subsequently transported to a clinic in Caracas for care, having miraculously survived the ordeal without any fractures.
