Over 2,000 bodies recovered, tens of thousands missing as Venezuela grapples with earthquake devastation.

A devastating earthquake in Venezuela has claimed over 2,000 lives, with tens of thousands still unaccounted for. At the port of La Guaira, an open-air morgue has been set up to manage the overwhelming number of victims. Forensic expert Johann Pérez explains that bodies were moved from hospitals to prevent contamination, but the logistical strain remains immense.

Families are desperately searching for loved ones, navigating bureaucratic hurdles and chaos. Mariela Corpas, who lost her grandparents, describes the ordeal as ‘frustrating and exhausting.’ Many victims remain unidentified, with mass graves being used as a last resort. As rescue efforts shift to recovery, hope for finding survivors fades. ‘We wait for miracles,’ says Pérez, reflecting the collective despair.