In Caraballeda, located in La Guaira state, a dog named Draco was miraculously rescued alive after enduring 12 days trapped beneath the debris of his collapsed home. The catastrophic dual earthquake that struck Venezuela on June 24, 2026, led to the destruction.
The dog's family had returned to the site in search of their missing grandmother, two dogs, and three cats following the seismic disaster.
A faint bark was the beacon that guided them through the wreckage to find Draco, alive, as captured in a video shared by YOYOPRESS NOTICIAS on social media platform X.
Cries of "It's Draco! It's Draco!" echoed among those present at the discovery, encapsulating the blend of anguish and relief that has characterized rescue efforts in La Guaira.
Survival Against All Odds
A drawer, positioned beneath a fallen wall, cushioned the weight of the debris, shielding the animal for nearly two weeks.
An individual named Jair bravely risked his own safety to reach and rescue Draco from the rubble. "Jair risked his life to save Drako, a testament of love. The good are more," read a caption in the video of the rescue.
Once freed, Draco received immediate care from the Veterinary Brigade, a designated aid point for animals impacted by the disaster in La Guaira, and was subsequently taken to an Emergency Veterinary Center for further recovery.
Extraordinary Tales of Survival
"There are looks that say it all. This champion endured 12 days trapped under the debris in La Guaira," described another caption accompanying the images.
Draco's story is not the sole tale of extraordinary animal survival following the earthquake. Recently, Milo, another dog, was rescued after also spending 12 days under the rubble of a building in La Guaira, thanks to a joint operation by Mexico's Topos Azteca and El Salvador's USAR.
On July 3, Buddy, a six-year-old Yorkshire, was found alive after eight days in Caraballeda. Meanwhile, Panchito the parrot survived nine days under the debris but succumbed to dehydration on the same day of his rescue.
The double earthquake on June 24—measuring 7.2 and 7.5 magnitudes, separated by a mere 39 seconds—is deemed the most severe earthquake recorded in Venezuela in over a century.
The Aftermath and Human Toll
Caraballeda was one of the hardest-hit areas due to its soft soil and deep basin, which exacerbated the collapse of structures.
As of July 6, the official tally from the United Nations reported 3,342 fatalities, over 11,000 injuries, and approximately 50,000 missing people, with 158 of the 190 collapsed buildings nationwide concentrated in La Guaira.
"Amidst the horror, stories like this one remind us that every life matters," concluded YOYOPRESS while sharing the footage of Draco's rescue.
Key Questions About the Venezuelan Earthquake
How long was Draco trapped under the rubble?
Draco was trapped under the rubble for 12 days before being rescued alive.
What were the magnitudes of the earthquakes that hit Venezuela on June 24, 2026?
The earthquakes had magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, occurring just 39 seconds apart.
Who was involved in the rescue operations in La Guaira?
Rescue operations in La Guaira involved the Topos Azteca from Mexico and the USAR team from El Salvador, among others.