Venezuela Earthquake Kills Over 1,700; Father Identifies Daughter by Ring

(CNA La Guaira, April 29, Foreign News) A strong earthquake in Venezuela has devastated the coastal state of La Guaira, where the port is now filled with body bags and coffins. One father identified his daughter's body by a ring, while other families have waited for days, hoping to give their loved ones a proper burial.

According to Agence France-Presse, two earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude struck Venezuela consecutively last week, severely damaging La Guaira state, not far from the capital Caracas. The entire community was reduced to rubble, with high-rise apartments, shopping malls, and schools collapsing in the powerful tremors.

As the official death toll surpassed 1,700, hospital morgues became overwhelmed. La Guaira port was converted into a temporary morgue, with some bodies covered in lime to slow decomposition.

Wilker Molalla, 25, told reporters, "My family is all there. They told me my sister and her children, and my brother's children are there." Of Molalla's 11 family members, only he and one sibling survived.

Many people came with flowers to identify bodies or to claim the remains of their loved ones for burial.

Many criticized the government's ineffective disaster response, with some residents in affected areas still digging through rubble with their bare hands, trying to rescue trapped family members.

● Identified Daughter by Ring

Antony Marcano, a 41-year-old chef, said, "I came here (to the port) yesterday and couldn't find my daughter anywhere. I gathered my emotions today and came back here. Thank God, I found her and confirmed her identity... I identified her by the ring I gave her."

Marcano said that besides the clothes and the ring on his daughter, her body was almost unrecognizable.

Authorities have not yet released the number of people still trapped under the rubble, but the United Nations (UN) estimates that about 50,000 people are missing and has stated it will transport 10,000 body bags to the disaster area.

● Hoping for a Proper Burial for Loved Ones

Darwin Silva, 37, came to claim the body of his mother, who died in social housing built during the administration of former strongman President Hugo Chavez.

Silva's mother was trapped under collapsed beams. Neighbors managed to find her body after setting up a generator for light.

Silva said, "Her identity has been confirmed, and I have received the death certificate."

Speaking to other family members still searching for their loved ones, Marcano expressed hope that they would not give up.

He said, "Pray to God that you can hold a dignified farewell and funeral for your loved ones." (Compiled by Liu Wen-yu) 1150630

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