Reports circulating on social media indicate that at least 11,000 people are missing following an earthquake in Venezuela. The country’s people are enduring a harrowing time; survivors are deeply traumatized, and many are unable to locate their loved ones. They wait in anguish near the rubble, weeping uncontrollably, while the fate of their missing relatives remains uncertain.

An Al Jazeera journalist reported speaking with a friend who described buildings collapsing all around and massive fissures splitting the roads. Since it was a holiday, most citizens were at home when the earthquake struck in the evening, causing the list of the missing to grow rapidly. Search and rescue operations are ongoing in the capital, Caracas. Meanwhile, an opposition political group has launched an online link where people can report missing relatives. Data gathered on this platform so far indicates that the number of missing persons has reached 11,000.

However, it is important to clarify that this figure is based solely on information provided by those who had internet access and were able to report details to the relevant authorities. Consequently, there are fears that the actual number of missing persons could be even higher, as many families have been unable to provide information due to disruptions in electricity and communication networks.