Venezuela: Death toll in earthquake crosses 2200, rescue still going on, famous rescue team from Mexico

Mexico City. The devastating earthquake in Venezuela has caused huge devastation. The death toll in this disaster has crossed 2,200, while more than 11,000 people are injured. In this difficult time, Mexico’s famous rescue team ‘Topos Azteca’ is reaching Venezuela for help. This team is considered expert in rescuing people buried under debris.

Scene of devastation and increasing challenges

Even after about a week of the earthquake, the situation in Venezuela is very bad. The biggest impact has been in La Guaira state, where many multi-storey buildings and houses have been razed to the ground. International rescue teams are searching day and night for people buried under the debris. However, as time passes, the hope of finding survivors is diminishing. German Bello, a 39-year-old volunteer who left from Mexico, is carrying with him a large number of ‘body bags’ along with rescue equipment, so that the bodies of the dead can be removed with dignity.

Who are these ‘topos’ and how do they work?

‘Topos’ is a civil rescue organization in Mexico. It started after the massive earthquake that hit Mexico City in 1985. In Spanish, ‘Topos’ means ‘Moles’. This team got this name because its members crawl into the very narrow spaces and holes made among the debris. These people use modern equipment like thermal cameras and sensitive microphones to detect the slightest sound or body heat buried under the debris.

Silent signal and method of protection

This team adopts a special technique during rescue operations. When a rescue worker raises his fist in the air, it means ‘be completely silent’. As soon as this signal is received, other people present there become silent. In this silence, the rescue workers listen under the debris to see if any sound or knocking is coming from anywhere. After this, the debris is slowly removed with the help of shovels and hammers so that there is no risk of further debris falling.

one last ray of hope

An emotional moment was witnessed at Mexico City airport. When Diego Bejarano, a Venezuelan engineer, learned that German Bello and his team were visiting his country, he cried. Diego’s family is still in Caracas, the capital of Venezuela. Bello consoled him by hugging him. Bello is an electrical engineer by profession and runs his own small workshop, but during a disaster, he leaves everything and sets out to save people’s lives. He says that giving hope to a sad person is his biggest reward.