Hotel Collapse in Venezuela Claims Lives of Deported Venezuelans, Families Report
Tyunews.com – Following a pair of devastating earthquakes that struck Venezuela on June 24, a hotel housing over 100 Venezuelans recently repatriated from the United States collapsed, according to reports from impacted families. The tremors, which registered a 7.2 magnitude followed by a 7.5, caused widespread destruction, particularly in Caracas, the capital city. Rescue efforts continue as responders search for survivors trapped beneath the rubble.
Repatriation Flight Arrives Amid Seismic Crisis
A deportation flight from the U.S. landed in Venezuela on June 24 around 10 a.m., according to data from a tracking group. The flight carried 146 individuals, including several families, as they were transferred to the Hotel Santuario La Llanada. One of the families, who had resided in Tennessee since 2023 while seeking asylum, was detained during a routine check-in with Immigration and Customs Enforcement the previous Monday.
“He called me at 3 p.m. asking for my address, but he said [the government] wouldn’t be taking him to my home that same day,” said the daughter of Rosvelis Boscan Chacin, 47, who spoke with her father after he arrived in Venezuela.
Luisa Quintero, a family member, shared with ABC News that her aunt, Johana Pineda, her husband Richard Pereira, and their son Richi were among those on the flight. She recounted the emotional toll of the disaster, stating, “My aunt is devastated and my little cousin is traumatized.” Quintero also noted that her aunt and 7-year-old cousin survived the collapse, though Pereira did not.
The earthquakes claimed at least 1,719 lives and injured 5,034 others, according to Venezuelan officials. The tremors shook the coastal region, sending residents fleeing into the streets and toppling structures. Quintero revealed she learned of her family’s whereabouts after spotting her cousin in a video posted by the government, which she described in Spanish.
Related Updates: Earthquakes and Human Impact
As rescue operations persist, the tragedy underscores the vulnerability of those displaced by the ongoing crisis. A video shared by a government official captured the arrival of the repatriated group, highlighting the scale of the evacuation. The incident has sparked renewed attention to the challenges faced by Venezuelans living abroad, as well as the risks they endure upon return.
