La Guaira: Search ends for missing persons at Roca Park ruins

Following a double earthquake on June 24, authorities in La Guaira, Venezuela, have concluded search operations at the ruins of the Roca Park building in the Caraballeda parish. After 43 days of searching, Civil Protection officials confirmed that no further traces of missing individuals could be found in the debris or the parking area.

The building, which housed a regional IVSS office and a local grocery store, burned for eleven days following the earthquake due to flammable materials. Temperatures during the fire reportedly reached nearly 1,000 degrees Celsius. Official estimates suggest that at least 10 residents and approximately 20 people from the ground-floor commercial space remain missing.

Families report that the Cicpc has informed them that those whose bodies were not recovered will be classified in official files as ‘missing, presumed dead due to the earthquake.’ These legal cases may remain open for approximately three years.