Earthquake Victims in Venezuela Can Survive a Week or More in Rubble

Survival for people trapped in rubble after an earthquake depends on injury severity, temperature, and access to air and water. If injuries are not severe, victims can survive for a week or more when conditions are moderate, according to experts. Two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela's northern state of La Guaira last Wednesday, collapsing more than 770 buildings.

Aftershocks continued to shake the region as rescue teams worked to locate survivors.

Most rescues occur within the first 24 hours, with survival chances declining each day afterward. Victims are more likely to survive in debris-free spaces that prevent major injury, such as under sturdy furniture. Fire, smoke, or hazardous chemicals released during collapses can reduce survival odds.

Access to breathable air and drinking water becomes critical as time passes. More than 2,600 rescue workers from multiple countries arrived with search dogs and machinery. Rescue efforts in La Guaira appeared more organized on Sunday after earlier complaints about response levels.

Medical care before extraction is important because toxins from crushed muscles can cause shock after rescue. A teenager and his 80-year-old grandmother survived nine days after the 2011 Japan earthquake and tsunami. A 16-year-old girl was rescued after 15 days following the 2010 Haiti earthquake.

In many countries, including the United States, officials recommend dropping, seeking cover, and holding on during an earthquake. If trapped afterward, conserving energy, rationing supplies, and signaling for help increase chances of survival.