Venezuelans honour earthquake victims one month after deadly disaster
Dozens of people gathered in Venezuela's La Guaira on Friday to honour the victims of the devastating earthquakes that struck the country a month ago, as the official death toll rose to more than 5,300.
Footage showed an altar of candles arranged in the shape of Venezuela in front of a building that collapsed during the 24 June earthquakes. Survivors gathered to remember relatives and neighbours who lost their lives.
"We are paying tribute to all the fallen neighbours who could not get out on June 24, placing a light for them so they can climb a step and so that God may keep them in a very beautiful place up there," said survivor Adriana Velasco.
Velasco reflected on how the disaster changed her life in a matter of seconds.
"I really have no words; there are no words to describe how one feels after having had everything and in 39 seconds for everything to end and for you to have nothing left," she told Viory.
Describing the emotional impact of the tragedy, she added, "You see sadness, a deep pain, and at least my soul torn apart and shattered to pieces." "They are from the neighbourhood association here in our building, OPP 33C. And they organised this mass for those who died in our building," survivor Yordan Pina said.
One month after the magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 earthquakes, official figures show more than 5,300 people have died, 16,740 have been injured, 6,462 rescued, 17,907 displaced, and 190 buildings have collapsed nationwide.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
