A Greek woman who was reported missing after being rescued from the rubble of her collapsed home in Venezuela has been found safe and is in good health.
She is now staying with relatives in Caracas, Theodoros Marangelis, president of the Greek Community of Caracas, told Greece’s public broadcaster ERT.
Greek woman found safe in Venezuela
The uncertainty over her whereabouts had prompted an urgent search by members of Venezuela’s Greek diaspora and a local priest. Community members called hospitals, health centers, and temporary medical facilities to find out whether any of them had admitted her after the rescue.
Her home collapsed during the powerful earthquakes that struck Venezuela on June 24. The disaster also destroyed three other Greek-owned homes, but no deaths have been reported.
Venezuela earthquake death toll rises
The update comes as Venezuela continues to cope with the aftermath of one of Latin America’s deadliest earthquake disasters in decades. Reuters reported that the death toll of the June 24 twin earthquakes has risen to 3,889. The disaster has also injured 16,740 people and displaced 17,907 others.
The two earthquakes measured magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5 and struck within seconds of each other. As a result, they caused widespread destruction in Caracas and the coastal state of La Guaira.
More than eighty shelters have opened for survivors whose homes collapsed or suffered severe damage. Meanwhile, health officials have warned that overcrowding, poor sanitation, lack of clean water, and disrupted medical care could result in additional risks in the coming weeks.
Relief efforts continue across disaster zones
International agencies and local authorities continue to coordinate humanitarian assistance as thousands of people remain without homes.
The United Nations aims to reach 1.3 million people over the next six months. In addition, aid workers have already delivered food assistance to nearly 40,000 survivors, Reuters reported.