A search for their loved ones’ remains, three months after Venezuela earthquakes

Sleeping in tents in front of collapsed buildings and removing rubble with bare hands, family members and volunteers search the ruins with at least 1,500 people missing.

LA GUAIRA, Venezuela — Upon entering the ruins of the Jurel building, one hears two things: the murmur of a few curious passersby gazing at the tomb of memories left by the June 24 earthquakes and the creaking of the rubble. Three months have passed since two earthquakes in quick succession shook this area of ​​the Venezuelan coast. But the devastation continues to resonate for those who haven’t been able to properly say goodbye to loved ones. Cristian Verdú, 23, lost his brother, his cousin and his mother that day. The bodies of the latter two remain buried in the building’s rubble. A drone search confirmed their location, along with the bodies of other victims.

The building’s collapse is so severe that his search has become — to say the least — nearly impossible after months of searching. “I never left her alone while she was alive. Anyone who knew my family knew my mother and knew that no matter what happened, I was always there for my mother,” said Verdú, who survived on June 24 because he was in Naiguatá, a town about 45 minutes from Playa Grande, where the Jurel is located. The search for Verdú’s family went viral following a video posted by journalist Maryorin Méndez in which Verdú pleaded for help recovering his loved ones’ bodies.