A three-year-old boy and a puppy were among the rare survivors pulled from the rubble six days after Venezuela was struck by two powerful earthquakes. The twin quakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude, hit the country last Thursday, causing widespread devastation and claiming close to 2,000 lives.

Kliebier Moran, the young boy, was rescued from a collapsed house in Caracas by a team of Jordanian rescue workers. Video footage circulating online captured the moment rescuers celebrated his discovery. Moran was transported to a hospital in stable condition, bringing a glimmer of hope amid the ongoing tragedy. Jorge Rodríguez, president of Venezuela’s National Assembly, described the rescue as a symbol of optimism as the official death toll reached 1,943. He also noted that roughly 50,000 people remain missing.

In the coastal city of Caraballeda, a puppy named Giselle was found alive after spending five days trapped beneath the rubble. Rescuers from El Salvador located the dog among the ruins, with Giselle responding by licking her rescuer’s face and wagging her tail before receiving water and medical attention.

The port city of La Guaira, located north of Caracas, has been identified as the hardest-hit area. According to the United Nations refugee agency, the earthquake’s aftermath has led to widespread food shortages, the collapse of basic services, and a near-total loss of connectivity. Local residents have reported tense conditions at aid distribution points. Eighteen-year-old Daniela Armas, who sustained injuries during the quake, described chaotic scenes as people competed fiercely for limited supplies.

Despite the challenges, Rodríguez stated that approximately 6,500 people had been rescued in La Guaira alone. However, he suggested the actual number of individuals aided, including those who escaped or were helped by family members, is likely closer to 20,000. Authorities and humanitarian organizations continue efforts to search for survivors as the window for rescue narrows.