Hers was one of many individual tragedies unfolding after quakes of magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 hit in quick succession in northern Venezuela on Wednesday evening, with La Guaira among the worst-affected regions.On Thursday night the death toll stood at 235, with around 4,300 people injured.As time passed and no government help appeared, del Giudice became exasperated and flailed at the rubble."It is a lot of rock, and with bare hands it is impossible," she said, sitting not far from where she thought her son was trapped.
A view shows a heavily damaged apartment building following an earthquake in Catia La Mar, La Guaira state, about 30 km northwest of Caracas, on June 25, 2026. © Juan BARRETO / AFP
Her grandson Alessandro, 23, donned a volunteer firefighter's helmet and joined in the search for his missing father."He is in there," he said, sobbing as he looked at the remains of what was once a building.In happier times, La Guaira, a town of around 25,000, was where people from the capital Caracas would visit to enjoy the Caribbean.Its many tall buildings with swimming pools have been severely damaged by the tremors.Interim president Delcy Rodriguez visited the region on Thursday and declared it a disaster area.AFP observed looting in the community.Ruined buildings and shell-shocked faces were everywhere.
