Venezuela

[Airspeed]

You will have heard of the double earthquakes.
I've pm'd Leonel to see how he and family are.
Will let you know, unless he posts to the Forum.
Good wishes to them, especially Gupyzer0

[blanston12]

I read about them also ,7.5 and 7.2, that size will do some damage. Hope all our friends there are ok.

[Airspeed]

OK, good news is that I heard from Leonel.
He & family are safe, though their hi-rise is cracked. He was very appreciative of our concern.

[TSR2]

Really relieved to hear that, thanks Mike. Thoughts and prayers for all of those who have been affected.

[Gupyzer0]

Just saw this post, yep I replied Mike, I'm doing "fine" right now, my building took some damage to the walls but the building columns seem to be in OK condition and was cleared by the authorities.

Still some neighbors want to contract a specialized firm to get a second opinion as there's some damage in the badsement levels where we have a parking lot but, as stated by the authorities, these columns that do not compromises the building itself as they are not beneath the building. At least that's what I understood.

Right now I'm at my in-laws house while the panorama clears up a bit.

Thank God my entire family group was with me when the earthquake happened and we could run away from the convenience store we were in. My little daughter woke up after the second earthquake as I took her from the stroller.

The streets moved like waves, some building walls fell and of course some just fell entirely leaving a cloud of dust. Sadly just as that happened some savages tried to initiate pillaging, a sad reality in this country. Nevertheless didn't happened in Caracas but...

La Guaira sate got the worst of it sadly, hundred of buildings fell, the videos are quite scary. Some people just started stealing from the ruins...

Again thank God the international community moved fast to help everyone there. We are very grateful for that!

[Airspeed]

Thanks for the inside update, Leonel.
Such events evidently bring out both extremes of human nature. We saw an interview of a devastated man who had rescued two others while he is seeking news of his wife and son.
Some rescuers were threatened with arrest for unauthorised work, then those police entered the building taking cash etc.
Tens of thousands "missing". Our hearts and thoughts are with you and your countrymen, Leonel.

[Gupyzer0]

Again, thank you all for your good wishes and support.