Dayán: A Grandmother's Plea to Continue Search Efforts After Venezuelan Earthquakes

In the aftermath of the catastrophic earthquakes in Venezuela, a Cuban grandmother makes an impassioned plea for international search teams to persist in their efforts to locate her grandson, Dayán Martínez. The 10-year-old remains missing beneath the rubble of the Coral Beach building in Los Corales, La Guaira, five days after the devastating quakes struck on June 24th.

"We've already lost two granddaughters. Dayán is the only grandchild we have left," she tearfully expressed in a video shared by Martí Noticias. The woman has been unable to sleep since the disaster and urges rescuers to continue their search as long as there is a chance of finding survivors.

The family has already endured an unimaginable loss. On June 27th, it was confirmed that Vanessa Martínez, Dayán's sister, and a cousin both perished trapped beneath their collapsed home. They lived with their father, a Cuban doctor who had remained in Venezuela after an official mission.

International Rescue Efforts Underway

The grandmother recounted how various international teams have tried to access the collapsed structure. Initially, a French team worked on site, followed by American specialists, with Salvadoran rescuers expected next.

According to her account, upon learning that the Salvadoran team would wait until 6 a.m. to start their operations, President Nayib Bukele ordered their early arrival. The team reached the site around 3 a.m. to assess conditions.

However, a 4.6 magnitude aftershock on Monday forced a temporary suspension of operations. Maryerit Arcia, Dayán’s aunt, explained that the American team had to withdraw for safety reasons. "When they were about to start the rescue mission, a 4.6 tremor occurred. Due to their safety protocols, they couldn’t return for another three hours unless there was no further seismic activity," she stated.

Local Rescuers Declare Conclusion

Meanwhile, some Venezuelan rescuers ceased operations overnight, believing there were no longer signs of life. Dayán’s father publicly criticized the absence of working personnel at the site during this time.

Despite this, the family clings to hope, as certain rescuers claim to have heard voices and footsteps of children beneath the debris. "Someone has to do it, please. They say they’re alive. It’s been five days. What more are they waiting for?" the grandmother implored.

With deep despair, she also highlighted the worsening conditions inside the building. "There are three children alive in there... it’s said bodies are decomposing and there’s a foul smell. How long can those children last? They might not even be alive now," she lamented.

The Impact of Venezuela’s Historic Earthquakes

The June 24th earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude with a mere 39-second gap, are described by the United States Geological Survey as the strongest recorded in Venezuela since 1900.

As of Monday, the official toll reported 1,719 fatalities and over 5,034 injuries. The United Nations estimates that around 50,000 individuals remain missing nationwide, with only 33 rescued alive since the crisis began.