Fabiana, 12, Survives 32 Hours Under Venezuela Quake Rubble as Death Toll Reaches 3,342
Updated
Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jul 6
Fabiana, 12, Survives 32 Hours Under Venezuela Quake Rubble as Death Toll Reaches 3,342
3 articles · Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jul 6
Summary
32 hours after two earthquakes hit on June 24, rescuers and volunteers pulled 12-year-old Fabiana alive from the collapsed Ritamar Palace building in Caraballeda with only a fractured left foot and minor cuts.
A nurse trapped nearby first alerted rescuers that Fabiana was alive, and volunteer Viktor later re-established contact after earlier firefighters failed to reach her and at one point left the site.
02:00 local time Friday, a Caracas rescue team and local helpers used chisels, torches and vehicle headlights to open a tunnel through the debris, after Fabiana had survived on ketchup and grated cheese.
Nearly 50 people lived in the 10-storey building, but Fabiana's mother said only three were rescued alive; nationwide, authorities had confirmed 3,342 deaths by Sunday, with tens of thousands still missing.
Why did Venezuela’s buildings crumble in a quake that Chilean structures would have likely survived?
Beyond the rescues, can aid overcome logistical hurdles to prevent a second wave of deaths from disease?
What do late-stage rescues, days after the 'golden window', teach us about human survival limits?
Catastrophe in Venezuela: The 2026 Double Earthquake’s Human Toll, $37 Billion Loss, and the Road to Rebuilding
Overview
On June 24, 2026, Venezuela’s north-central region was devastated by two powerful earthquakes just seconds apart, triggering a widespread emergency. The disaster caused massive destruction, with thousands killed and injured, and left many families affected. Rescue teams managed to save thousands of lives, but hundreds of unidentified victims remain in makeshift morgues. The physical damage is estimated at $37 billion, highlighting the immense challenge for a country already struggling with economic decline. The catastrophe has overwhelmed local infrastructure and health services, making international aid and coordinated recovery efforts crucial for Venezuela’s long road to rebuilding.