A devastating earthquake in Venezuela has claimed the life of a mother who shielded her daughter from falling debris, as UK aid workers race to assist survivors. The 6.8 magnitude tremor struck the coastal region of Carabobo state on Tuesday, collapsing homes and triggering landslides. Witnesses described scenes of panic as buildings swayed and windows shattered.
María Torres, 34, was trapped under rubble while protecting her 5-year-old daughter, Lucía, who survived with minor injuries. Rescue workers found the pair hours later, with Torres’s body forming a protective arc over the child. “She was a hero,” said local firefighter Carlos Mendoza. “She gave her life for her daughter.”
UK aid teams from the Disasters Emergency Committee have deployed to the affected area, providing medical supplies and search equipment. “The window for finding survivors is closing,” said Dr. Emily Hart of the British Red Cross. “We are working around the clock to reach isolated communities.”
The earthquake has killed at least 12 people and injured over 200, with many still missing. Power outages and damaged roads have hampered relief efforts, but UK personnel are coordinating with local authorities to restore basic services.
This tragedy highlights the unpredictable nature of seismic activity in the region and the profound human cost. For every algorithm we build to predict disasters, the human spirit of sacrifice remains an unquantifiable variable.
