More than 100 Venezuelans missing after earthquake hits hotel following US deportations
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Over 100 individuals recently deported from the United States are reported missing after earthquakes struck a hotel in La Guaira, Venezuela. The group arrived on a deportation flight from Miami only hours before the seismic activity occurred.
Amalgamated from The Guardian (opens in new tab), The Independent (opens in new tab)
More than 100 Venezuelan nationals who were recently deported from the United States are reported missing following a series of earthquakes that struck the La Guira region of Venezuela. The individuals were being held in a hotel at the time of the tremors, according to reports from survivors at the scene.
The group arrived on a deportation flight from Miami just hours before the seismic activity began on Wednesday. According to flight data tracked by the ICE Flight Monitor, a project of Human Rights First, the flight carried 146 people, including 19 women and seven children.
Reports from both The Guardian and The Independent indicate that the proximity of the arrival to the earthquake has led to a large-scale effort to locate those trapped under the debris of collapsed buildings. Because the individuals were recently deported, their specific circumstances have been highlighted in coverage of the disaster.
Search efforts are ongoing as conditions in the affected areas remain difficult for first responders. The focus remains on identifying survivors and locating those who were staying in the hotel immediately following their arrival from the United States.
Why this matters
The incident highlights the logistical and safety risks associated with rapid deportation processes in regions prone to natural disasters. It also brings international attention to the conditions of individuals immediately following their removal from U.S. custody.
What's confirmed / what isn't
Both The Guardian and The Independent confirm that over 100 Venezuelans were missing following the earthquake and that they had been recently deported from the U.S. The specific count of 146 passengers, including the breakdown of women and children, is reported by The Guardian based on ICE data.
Background
La Guira is a coastal city in Venezuela that has experienced significant seismic activity in recent years. The area serves as a major transit point and residential hub near Caracas.