Over two weeks have passed since the devastating twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela on June 24, 2026. In the aftermath, families and volunteers persist in digging makeshift tunnels beneath the collapsed structures in La Guaira, risking their own lives without professional equipment as they attempt to recover their trapped loved ones.
Captured by journalist Laura Chiclana, footage reveals civilians with only basic protective gear venturing into the remains of the OPE 27 building. Here, eight floors of rubble weigh down on those working below.
Among the heart-wrenching stories is that of a father searching for his 19-year-old daughter, John May, who is trapped alongside her mother and grandmother after the building's collapse.
Having already rescued two family members, the father expressed his determination: "My goal now is to get her out, that's everyone's goal."
Volunteers operating within the debris estimate that they have retrieved approximately 30 bodies from the building, working from the fourth floor of a 12-story structure.
"We are surrounded by victims. Completely surrounded. With eight floors above us that could collapse at any moment," one rescuer warned.
Initially, volunteers were guided by sounds amid the wreckage—clicks and scratches that directed them to potential survivors. However, these signals faded as new collapses and heavy machinery usage altered the building's integrity.
The threat of physical hazards is compounded by dwindling oxygen levels within the tunnels and the lack of adequate tools for excavation efforts.
Those affected issued a direct plea: "Tools, things that can help us, we don't need money, none of that, just tools that will help us work here."
The most severe criticism targets the government of Delcy Rodríguez: "The government hasn't helped us at all. We are only helping each other, just families," stated one volunteer during the recovery operations.
This situation is far from unique. Father Alexander dug with his bare hands for 11 days to recover his 12-year-old daughter's body, also without state assistance.
Recently, a volunteer popularized the phrase "Here there are more rifles than shovels" to highlight that the National Guard deployed more armed personnel than rescue teams.
The twin earthquakes on June 24, with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5 and separated by just 39 seconds, have been declared by the U.S. Geological Survey as the most powerful in Venezuela since 1900.
In La Guaira, over 250 buildings collapsed, leaving more than 17,000 people homeless. The official death toll now exceeds 3,685, with 16,740 reported injured.
Understanding the Impact of Venezuela's Earthquakes
How severe were the earthquakes in Venezuela?
The earthquakes on June 24, 2026, were incredibly powerful, with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, making them the strongest recorded in Venezuela since 1900.
What challenges are rescuers facing in La Guaira?
Rescuers are dealing with numerous challenges, including the risk of further collapse, a lack of proper equipment, and limited oxygen supplies in the makeshift tunnels.
What has been the response of the Venezuelan government?
Critics argue that the Venezuelan government, led by Delcy Rodríguez, has failed to provide adequate assistance, leaving families and volunteers to rely on each other for help.