A Venezuelan volunteer rescuer known on social media as Maikel La Rosa broke down emotionally this Friday while recounting a heart-wrenching discovery among the rubble of the largest building to collapse in his work area after the June 24th earthquakes: the bodies they pulled out belonged to a children's party that was underway when the building crumbled.
A video posted on Instagram has amassed over 848,000 views, sparking a wave of sorrow across social media. In the footage, Maikel appears visibly shaken, his voice faltering as he struggles to convey the gravity of the scene from the disaster site.
"In the largest building that fell. It pains me deeply because while we're working, the bodies we are recovering are from a kid's party. It hurts so much, makes me want to cry, truly. You can't imagine, you just can't," the volunteer expressed.
He added a phrase that captured the human dimension of the tragedy: "It was a kid's party when the building collapsed."
The Tragic Timing of the Quake
The earthquake struck on June 24th, a day known as the Feast of Saint John, a traditional Venezuelan celebration where communities and families gather en masse, which explains why so many gatherings and celebrations were taking place in various buildings at the time.
Despite the overwhelming emotion, Maikel tried to persist. "This is very tough. You have to be strong, but it hurts so much," he said through tears, announcing that machinery was already working at the site and that he would continue to provide updates.
Coordinating Efforts Amidst Crisis
Beyond documenting the rescue efforts, Maikel uses his Instagram account as a coordination tool: he receives reports of missing persons, shares crucial information, and acts as a bridge between families searching for their loved ones and the teams on the ground.
Maikel's testimony carries significant weight in the context of a disaster of historic proportions.
A Catastrophe of Historic Magnitude
The twin earthquakes, with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5 and separated by a mere 39 seconds, struck with epicenters in Yaracuy state. According to the United States Geological Survey, these are the most powerful quakes recorded in Venezuela since 1900.
The official death toll, confirmed by Vice President Delcy Rodríguez on Friday, stands at 920, with 3,360 injured—a figure that tripled in less than 24 hours.
Additionally, there are reports of 157 missing individuals and over 200 people still trapped under debris, with 346 buildings either collapsed or severely damaged.
The United Nations estimates that 6.76 million people have been affected, including approximately two million in Caracas. Meanwhile, parallel figures from the OCHA suggest up to 50,000 missing, though these are not official numbers.
The international response included the arrival of a U.S. military C-17 aircraft carrying 160 rescue experts and 12 canine units, alongside teams from Portugal, Chile, and Mexico.
Maikel La Rosa concluded his video with a decision that also resonated with those who watched: "I've decided to keep informing."
Understanding the Impact of the Venezuelan Earthquakes
What was the magnitude of the earthquakes in Venezuela?
The earthquakes were of magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5, making them the most powerful recorded in Venezuela since 1900.
How many people were affected by the earthquakes?
The United Nations estimates that 6.76 million people were affected, including around two million in Caracas.
What was the international response to the disaster?
A U.S. military C-17 aircraft with 160 rescue experts and 12 canine units, along with teams from Portugal, Chile, and Mexico, participated in the rescue efforts.