Life in Caracas has grown increasingly grim in the aftermath of the devastating dual earthquakes that struck Venezuela, with survivors describing a deepening sense of despair as rescue efforts continue and hopes of finding loved ones alive fade.

Each morning brings renewed grief for families waiting for news of those still missing beneath collapsed buildings. For many, the nights are filled with exhaustion, fear, and unanswered prayers as rescue operations stretch on across the affected regions.

In one of the hardest-hit areas, former police officer Jan Carlos Roa Garcia and his family have been forced to sleep outdoors after their Caracas building was deemed unsafe to enter. Emotional and exhausted, he described the uncertainty of rebuilding his life.

“If I was 30 and not 50, then maybe,” he said. “But I don’t know where to begin. And so far, no-one in authority has contacted us.”

While some residents have expressed frustration with the government’s response, others have voiced even stronger criticism. Musician Zaira Castro said the situation has forced communities to rely on each other rather than official support.

“We’re all pretty frustrated because the government is not showing what it should — a serious display of help,” she said. “It’s actually us, the Venezuelans, who are helping each other.”

In the Chacao district of Caracas, tensions were visible as Interim President Delcy Rodríguez visited affected neighborhoods alongside local officials, where some residents openly criticized the government’s handling of the disaster.

Amid the devastation, personal stories of loss and survival are emerging from familiar neighborhoods. A former BBC correspondent recalled the shock of seeing areas once known to them now transformed into disaster zones, including collapsed residential buildings where rescue teams continue to search for survivors.

Despite some structures remaining intact, entire communities have been displaced, with many residents unable to return to their homes due to safety concerns. In several cases, neighbors are assisting injured residents and supporting those left without shelter.

In the worst-hit coastal areas, particularly La Guaira, the destruction is described as overwhelming. More than 100 buildings are reported to have collapsed, leaving rescue teams struggling to reach those still trapped beneath rubble.

“There are still people in there, we need machinery,” said resident Eileen Lada. “Help us, please.”

As rescue efforts continue, the scale of destruction has left many residents describing this period as one of the most painful and difficult chapters in Venezuela’s modern history.