Miracle moment newborn pulled from rubble after Venezuela earthquake
As the death toll in Venezuela continues to rise above 1,450 in the wake of last week's devastating earthquakes, an extraordinary miracle has unfolded.
On Wednesday, June 24, two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela. The U.S. Geological Survey reported that the first tremor, measuring 7.2 in magnitude, hit west of Moron on the Caribbean coast, approximately 105 miles west of the capital city of Caracas.
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Just one minute later, the USGS recorded a second earthquake measuring 7.5 in magnitude, at a depth of around 6 miles, with its epicentre 10 miles southwest of Moron.
For the past five days, rescue teams have been working tirelessly around the clock searching for the nearly 50,000 people who remain unaccounted for.
The United States Department of State shared the remarkable footage on X, capturing the breathtaking moment rescuers pulled an infant alive from the rubble.
"Against impossible odds, hope endures," the post read. "American search and rescue teams rescued an infant from beneath the rubble following the earthquake in Venezuela. Every life saved is a victory."
In the aftermath of Wednesday's earthquakes, which obliterated entire communities across Caracas and surrounding cities, approximately 50,000 individuals are still missing. This figure has been compiled from data gathered via an online platform dedicated to reuniting families with their unaccounted-for loved ones.
In this desperate race against the clock, international rescue teams and anguished relatives continue sifting through debris, hoping to find more survivors. Official statistics from the Venezuelan government show that 1,450 people have perished and more than 3,100 have been wounded.
The state of La Guaira, situated on the Caribbean coast approximately an hour from Caracas, has suffered the worst destruction. Authorities expect these figures to rise, while estimates from the U.S. Geological Survey suggest the ultimate death toll could reach thousands.
Against impossible odds, hope endures. ????????????
American search and rescue teams rescued an infant from beneath the rubble following the earthquake in Venezuela. Every life saved is a victory. pic.twitter.com/PcFayXEqNP
As rescue operations persist, experts caution that the opportunity to locate survivors is rapidly closing. Those trapped under the rubble face deadly conditions, including dehydration and choking dust.
However, it appears not all hope has been extinguished just yet. Two 11 year old boys were pulled from collapsed structures within hours of each other today.
The first survivor, a boy named Moises, was filmed being pulled from the twisted wreckage to the applause of rescue workers, his eyes protected from the sunlight as he surfaced.
Shortly afterwards, interim President Delcy Rodríquez posted footage on X of a second 11 year old boy being carefully carried on a stretcher down a huge mound of debris.
"In these hours, every life is hope for Venezuela," Rodríguez wrote on X. In a bid to deliver direct aid to those caught up in the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela, a number of organisations are rallying to provide assistance.
World Vision is setting up an emergency response unit to deploy swift relief efforts, while the Global Empowerment Mission is organising volunteers to hand out vital supplies — including medical kits, hygiene products, bottled water and food — to the worst-affected areas.