What You Need to Know
• On June 24, 2023, Winder and Deivi experienced two powerful earthquakes in Venezuela, measuring 7.2 and 7.5.
• The earthquakes resulted in over 6,300 fatalities, with many individuals still unaccounted for.
• Winder and Deivi’s family members, including their mother Yusmani and grandmother Carmen, were trapped in a collapsed building.
Winder and Deivi, two teenagers from Venezuela, were at the beach on the Caribbean coastline when they experienced two earthquakes of magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 on June 24, 2023. Upon returning home, they discovered that their 12-storey apartment building had collapsed, trapping their mother Yusmani, grandmother Carmen, and younger brother Moissés beneath the rubble. The Venezuelan government reported that the earthquakes resulted in more than 6,300 deaths, with an unclear number of missing persons. Following the disaster, Winder and Deivi participated in rescue efforts while facing challenges such as lack of food and shelter. Their father, Deivid, who was in Colombia during the earthquakes, took three days to locate his sons after returning to Venezuela, and together they began a month-long search for their family members.
Why It Matters
The devastating earthquakes that struck Venezuela on June 24, 2023, highlight the country’s vulnerability to natural disasters and the challenges of emergency response. With over 6,300 reported deaths and many missing, the impact of this disaster is profound and far-reaching. The collapse of buildings, particularly in densely populated areas, underscores the need for improved infrastructure and disaster preparedness in Venezuela. This event adds to the ongoing humanitarian crises faced by the nation, exacerbating existing economic and social issues.
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