Venezuela's Interim President Rodríguez defends earthquake response as death toll passes 3,000 mark

Venezuela's Interim President Delcy Rodríguez has defended her country's emergency response to the tragic twin earthquakes that killed over 3,000 people. She went on to pledge to ensure stability in the country, insisting that Venezuela would not descend into social unrest.

While speaking during a military ceremony marking Venezuela’s Independence Day, Rodríguez said, "There will be no social unrest here – what we have here is deep social solidarity.” Thousands of public officials and rescue teams were sent off to help dig out victims and find survivors following the tragic calamity.

On Saturday night, a day before Venezuela's interim president gave the state, the country's information ministry said the number of people killed in the quakes had risen to 3,342, while the number of people injured had passed 16,700. 11 days after the double shocks, international rescue teams were wrapping up operations to find more survivors while families were still trying to dig out bodies of loved ones from the wreckage.

More from World

The number of bodies expected to surge

The number of bodies found is expected to soar as the authorities gear up for the reconstruction process. Forensic technician Joel Mirabal has worked for seven days straight since the 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes struck.

He estimated that in 60 per cent to 70 per cent of the cases there is a relative or neighbour available to identify a body when he comes to collect it. Even so, it’s a struggle, he said, with many relying on tattoos, scars or familiar clothing.

“They don’t look even 10 per cent like what they were in real life,” he said of the victims. If a body cannot be identified, it goes to forensic specialists working at La Guaira seaport. Private companies have donated large cooling containers to help preserve the bodies, but the number of dead keeps growing.

“Obviously, mass graves will have to be created,” Mirabal told agencies. “The collapse is massive, and the bodies are buried under many layers of debris," he added.

With inputs from agencies.