On Friday, Venezuela's Scientific, Penal, and Criminal Investigation Corps (CICPC) deployed forensic teams to La Guaira state to begin the process of identifying the deceased victims following the devastating earthquakes on June 24. This effort aims to provide clarity to the thousands of families desperately seeking information about their loved ones.
Douglas Rico, the director of the agency, confirmed that technical teams have been stationed at critical points in the coastal region to expedite scientific protocols amid the crisis. These operations are being conducted in coordination with other security and rescue agencies.
"Technical commissions are deployed at critical points in the region to expedite scientific protocols during the emergency," Rico stated, as reported by Venevisión News.
Authorities have pledged to continue forensic investigations to offer "certainty and institutional support to families affected by the seismic contingency," according to the same news outlet.
This urgent work is set against the backdrop of a tragedy of historic proportions. The two earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), struck northern Venezuela within a mere 39 seconds of each other. Their epicenters were located in Yaracuy and Carabobo states, marking them as the most powerful quakes recorded in the country since 1900.
La Guaira suffered the most significant destruction: more than 250 buildings, including the José María Vargas Hospital, collapsed. A satellite analysis by NASA estimated that nearly 59,000 structures sustained damage exceeding 75%.
As of July 2, interim President Delcy Rodríguez updated the official death toll to 2,595, with over 12,400 injured and approximately 26,000 displaced, according to Infobae.
However, the disparity with international estimates is troubling: the UN estimates that around 50,000 people might be missing nationwide, while the USGS predicted a 42% probability that the final number of victims could range between 10,000 and 100,000.
Rodríguez assured that all deceased individuals would be identified individually before being returned to their families, ruling out the possibility of mass burials.
Amid this crisis, the CICPC also had to address internal corruption. On July 1, four agency officials were arrested and dismissed for stealing money found among the rubble, a behavior described as "disgraceful" by Rico.
This Friday was marked as the official end of the search for survivors, making forensic identification the most pressing task for Venezuelan authorities as thousands of families continue to await news about their missing relatives.
Key Questions About Venezuela's Earthquake Crisis
What is the role of the CICPC in the aftermath of the earthquakes?
The CICPC is responsible for deploying forensic teams to identify deceased victims and provide clarity to families searching for their loved ones.
How significant was the destruction in La Guaira?
La Guaira experienced extensive devastation, with over 250 buildings, including the José María Vargas Hospital, collapsing, and nearly 59,000 structures sustaining severe damage.
What are the international estimates of the earthquake's impact?
The UN estimates around 50,000 people could be missing across Venezuela, while the USGS predicts a 42% chance that the number of victims could be between 10,000 and 100,000.