In the coastal city of La Guaira, Venezuela, the June 24 earthquakes that measured 7.2 and 7.5 on the Richter scale caused a catastrophic collapse of at least 14 high‑rise apartment towers. More than 6,500 residents were killed and over 17,000 lost their homes.
Scientists warned, but the government proceeded
Engineers, seismologists and former officials interviewed by the Associated Press said scientists had repeatedly cautioned the government against building tall concrete structures on the silt‑rich soil of the La Guaira strip, which sits atop the San Sebastian fault line. The soil amplifies seismic shaking, and the tall towers were prone to resonance that can cause buildings to sway dangerously during an earthquake.
Despite these warnings, the administration of acting President Delcy Rodríguez pushed forward with a massive public‑housing program that began after the 2010 mudslides and floods displaced more than 100,000 Venezuelans. The program, known as the Great Housing Mission Venezuela, erected dozens of 10‑ to 20‑story towers—often described as reminiscent of East‑German prefab high‑rises—in the Caraballeda parish of La Guaira.
Construction flaws and lack of oversight
Residents who moved into the new apartments reported immediate problems: unreliable water service, malfunctioning elevators, and pest infestations. It remains unclear whether contractors adhered to Venezuela’s building codes or conducted proper soil studies before construction. The government has not released blueprints, soil‑study reports, or the “descriptive memorandum” that should detail engineering specifications.
Francisco “Farruco” Sesto, who oversaw the housing mission, claimed that private companies performed the necessary soil studies, but provided no evidence. He dismissed post‑quake criticism as part of an “insidious, malicious campaign” against the housing effort.
Human toll and government response
The earthquakes triggered fires as gas tanks exploded, trapping hundreds inside the collapsing towers. Survivors described scenes of bodies recovered from bedrooms, stairwells and kitchens, many found in embraces. The acting president’s administration has done little publicly to address the survivors’ anger or explain why so many structures failed.
Experts note that the region has a history of natural disasters, including a deadly 6.6‑magnitude quake in 1967 that led to the creation of the Venezuelan Foundation for Seismological Research. Yet the recent tragedy underscores a failure to apply those lessons to new construction.
Looking ahead
Venezuelan authorities have not announced any concrete steps to investigate the collapses, enforce building standards, or provide immediate relief to the displaced. The disaster highlights the ongoing tension between rapid, state‑driven housing initiatives and the technical realities of building safely in a seismically active coastal zone.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
