Demolition operations have commenced in Venezuela's La Guaira state to clear structures severely damaged by the devastating twin earthquakes that struck on June 24. The disaster claimed more than 5,500 lives, injured nearly 17,000 people, and caused 190 buildings to collapse, while leaving another 856 damaged.
On Thursday, soldiers cordoned off the area before using dynamite to bring down the first ruined structure—a 12-storey residential tower that had partially collapsed and was slanting toward the street. The controlled explosion caused significant anxiety among nearby residents. Yenith Salcedo, a 66-year-old housewife who had received a community WhatsApp message warning her of the blast, said she "felt horrible" when the explosion occurred. "I was still at home. It was an overwhelmingly intense sensation," she said. "I took my bag so I could come out here, to the beach, and wait in case there was another explosion."
While the Venezuelan government has not released an official figure for the number of missing persons, experts project that up to 10,000 people remain unaccounted for. Addressing concerns about the demolition process, Transport Minister Francisco Garces stated at a press conference two days ago, "No structure will be demolished as long as there are victims still to be found or people to be recovered." Rescue teams and family members continue to sift through the rubble in La Guaira in search of victims and missing loved ones.
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Md. Kazi Bijoy is a dedicated tech enthusiast and content creator with a passion for digital innovation. With years of experience in the tech industry, he specializes in breaking down complex topics into easy-to-understand guides. When he isn’t writing, he explores the latest gadgets and researches emerging trends in the digital world.