Search and Rescue Mobilization in the Andean Region
Search and rescue teams mobilized across the Andean region of Venezuela early Sunday morning following the seismic event. According to reports from the Venezuelan Foundation for Seismological Research (FUNVISIS), the tremor occurred at 4:12 a.m. local time, with an epicenter located approximately 25 kilometers southwest of El Vigia.
Local officials have confirmed that the structural integrity of several multi-story residential complexes was compromised, leading to partial collapses. In the city of Merida, civil protection units are utilizing thermal imaging and acoustic sensors to locate survivors. The operation is complicated by intermittent power outages and heavy rainfall that has hampered access to the most severely damaged areas.
Desperate Efforts to Locate Trapped Residents
Reports from the ground describe scenes of desperation as families wait for news of those still missing. One survivor, whose home in the outskirts of Merida was destroyed, told local emergency personnel that they could hear the voice of their child calling for help from beneath a collapsed concrete slab.
“The structural damage is significant, and we are working against the clock,” said a spokesperson for the Merida State Civil Protection agency. The agency has requested heavy machinery from national authorities to clear concrete and steel, noting that rescue efforts remain in a critical phase as the 48-hour window for locating survivors begins.
Assessment of Regional Infrastructure and Grid Stability
The earthquake was felt across a wide swath of western Venezuela, with tremors reported as far as San Cristobal in the neighboring state of Tachira. While the full extent of the damage is still being assessed, the Ministry of Interior and Justice reported that at least 14 people have been treated for injuries ranging from lacerations to crush syndrome.
Infrastructure damage extends beyond residential buildings. Several bridges along the main highway connecting Merida to the lowlands have sustained cracks, forcing authorities to restrict traffic to emergency vehicles. The National Electric Corporation (CORPOELEC) stated that it is working to stabilize the regional grid after the quake tripped several substations, leaving approximately 45,000 residents without electricity as of Sunday afternoon.
Geological Monitoring and Ongoing Safety Protocols
Geologists have monitored heightened seismic activity in the Boconó-San Sebastián fault system for several years. While this specific event was identified as a shallow-crustal earthquake, authorities are warning residents to remain alert for aftershocks.
“We are currently in an assessment phase,” said a representative from the National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology. “The focus remains entirely on search and rescue. Once the danger of further collapse subsides, we will begin the formal process of evaluating the structural safety of the affected municipalities.”
As of Sunday evening, international aid organizations remain on standby, though the Venezuelan government has not yet issued a formal request for external assistance. Local authorities expect to provide a updated count of casualties and missing persons once communication is fully restored to the rural areas surrounding the epicenter.
