Deadly earthquake in Venezuela leaves families separated as flights are cancelled
As rescue teams search for survivors following two powerful earthquakes in Venezuela Wednesday night, members of the Canadian Venezuelan community say their loved ones are safe, but they worry about what’s next.
At least 188 people have been killed and hundreds more injured after 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes struck parts of the country, causing extensive damage to some of the most populated areas.
Luis Hernandez, who owns a Venezuelan restaurant called Pomarosa in Toronto, said his first concern was reaching family members back home.
“It was very surprising. I was very worried because I have family living in Venezuela,” said Hernandez. “The first thing I did was try to contact them.”
Hernandez said about ten relatives, including six siblings, live in Caracas.
Although they were unharmed, he is concerned the true extent of the disaster may not be known.
“There could be thousands of people we don’t even know about yet,” he said.
Hernandez added that many Venezuelans find it difficult to trust official government information.
“The only way to communicate with people is to use social media, relatives and friends tell us what is going on,” he said.
“Today, half of our customers ask us, ‘Is everything okay? Is your family okay?’
For restaurant worker Jennyfer Chirinos, the earthquake hits especially close to home.
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His mother arrived in Caracas on Tuesday – one day before the earthquake.
“We’re glad he got there safely,” Chirinos said. “All my family lives there and right now it’s fine.”
Chirinos said he was shocked by the tragedy and worried about how the damaged infrastructure could disrupt travel.
“My father was supposed to arrive tomorrow, but the flight was cancelled,” he said. “For now, you need to stay there because there is no option to come.”
He said the family members are now waiting for the authorities to provide more information about the circumstances.
Meanwhile, aid agencies are preparing for what could be a long recovery effort.
Emergency responders in Venezuela are focused on search and rescue operations, medical care and transporting injured people to hospitals, said Kelsey Lemon, vice president of international cooperation with the Canadian Red Cross.
“Last night there were two devastating earthquakes in one of the most populated areas of Venezuela,” Lemon said in an interview with Global News.
The organization is working with teams on the ground to determine what assistance is needed and how Canada can help, he added.
“We say the first 24-48 hours is search and rescue, and after that they get shelter, food, and water.”
Among the items ready for shipment are hygiene items, solar lamps and other essential emergency items. The Red Cross is also preparing workers who can be sent to help.
“We face a long road to recovery,” Lemon added.
Authorities said rescue efforts were ongoing in some of the worst-hit areas, where buildings had collapsed and people were believed to be trapped under the rubble.
In a statement to X, Prime Minister Mark Carney offered “sincere condolences to the loved ones of those lost.
“My thoughts are with everyone who was injured or displaced and with the first responders working tirelessly to save lives.”
A video shared online appeared to show dozens of people, some lying on the ground and others in hospital beds, being treated outside the hospital in La Guaira.
– Via files from The Canadian Press
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