Four Police Officers Arrested for Looting After Venezuela Earthquakes

Four Venezuelan police officers were arrested after being accused of taking valuables from the ruins of a collapsed building in Playa Grande, La Guaira state. The officers had served with the Scientific, Penal and Criminalistic Investigation Service Corps, Venezuela's state-run news agency reported.

The arrests took place in the area hardest hit by the June 24 earthquakes. A 7.2-magnitude quake struck first, followed less than 40 seconds later by a 7.5-magnitude quake.

Rescue teams freed 44-year-old security guard Hernán Gil from rubble in Playa Grande after he had been trapped for more than 100 hours. International teams from Colombia, Spain, and Mexico participated in the search efforts. Marco Franco, search and rescue team leader for the Mexican Red Cross, said his team worked alongside other relief groups without interference from Venezuelan authorities.

"Between all of us, we put together an effective response," he said.

Hospitals in northern Venezuela reached 900 percent capacity, according to Rafael Velasquez Garcia of the International Rescue Committee. Up to 38 health facilities were damaged or destroyed, and several temporary camp hospitals were established. Power outages affected entire areas of La Guaira, water networks were damaged, and roads to hospitals remained blocked by debris.

The United Nations ordered 10,000 body bags after consulting with Venezuelan authorities. Interim leader Delcy Rodriguez declared a week of national mourning for the victims.