Two women search for seven relatives in the Bahía Mar building in Los Corales.
By Vanessa Davies
Every day begins early in the morning and ends at night under the blazing sun of La Guaira. Since June 24, when they lost contact with the seven relatives who were inside the Bahía Mar building, the two women have faithfully made the trip to the coast, taking whatever ride they can find, and then returned to Caracas the same way.
At 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 8, the anniversary of the earthquakes, they were once again caught in the endless routine this tragedy has imposed. Sweaty and exhausted, they paced back and forth until they decided to return to the building in Los Corales to show the place where they believe their loved ones remain: an aunt, her husband, their daughter and son-in-law, and three children.
When was the last time they spoke to them?
“At 6:02 p.m. on June 24, they called me to say they were loading their belongings into a dark blue SUV. That means they were in the parking garage,” Judith recalls.
That is why they insist search crews should focus their efforts there.
“Our hearts are here”
Eleven floors separate them from the place where they believe their loved ones lie.
“Our hearts are here. We have no help, no machinery. This was a huge building, and it collapsed into the ravine.”
They ask for something that sounds simple but, in the tragedy-stricken state of La Guaira, has proven difficult:
“Bring in the machinery.”
They believe heavy equipment could speed up the search. During the first few days, they say, rescuers received more support, but “today there are only a few rescue workers.” They have also learned that operating heavy machinery for one week can cost as much as $14,000.
Two members of the Armed Forces stand guard at the entrance to the Bahía Mar building. On July 8, the women greeted them and walked into the structure. An intact but empty swimming pool sits to the left. A few steps farther lies what, in better times, served as the building’s parking garage.
“I have a feeling she is here,” Judith says.
Have search dogs helped?
“They have helped us,” she replies, “but they need an opening they can get through.”
The two women return to Caracas with less hope than they had the day before.
Later, Judith quietly admits:
“I don’t think we’re going to find them.”
Still, she prepares to make the journey once again.
