Over 100 people who were recently deported from the United States are missing after earthquakes struck Venezuela and caused a hotel where they were being held to collapse. According to survivors, a scramble is underway to find those buried in the rubble.
Key Takeaways
Over 100 Venezuelans deported from the United States are missing after an earthquake caused their hotel to collapse in La Guaira, one of the hardest-hit areas by twin quakes. Survivors describe chaotic scenes and a desperate search for those buried under rubble.
- Over 100 deportees missing after earthquakes struck Venezuela
- Hotel where they were held collapsed in La Guaira
- Survivors recount escaping from rubble and seeking help
- Venezuelan government reports more than 1,700 killed nationwide
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▼Source Claims Check
1 Difference FoundAll 4 publishers report consistent facts across 4 key claims. 1 point of difference noted.
| Claim | Status | Reason | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Death Toll From Earthquakes | 0 Differences | Majority reports death toll; no dissenting publishers. | ▼ |
| Number Of Deportees | Broad Agreement | 146 Venezuelans deported, including 19 women and seven children | |
| Earthquake Magnitudes | Broad Agreement | 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes struck Venezuela | |
| Location Of Hotel Collapse | Broad Agreement | Hotel collapsed in La Guaira, one of the hardest-hit areas | |
| Number Of Deportation Flights In May | Broad Agreement | 288 deportation flights to 38 countries, including 12 to Venezuela |
Death Toll From Earthquakes
▼Majority reports death toll; no dissenting publishers.
Number Of Deportees
Broad Agreement146 Venezuelans deported, including 19 women and seven children
Earthquake Magnitudes
Broad Agreement7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes struck Venezuela
Location Of Hotel Collapse
Broad AgreementHotel collapsed in La Guaira, one of the hardest-hit areas
Number Of Deportation Flights In May
Broad Agreement288 deportation flights to 38 countries, including 12 to Venezuela
This analysis is AI-generated and may not perfectly represent each source's reporting. Always read the original articles for full context.
A deportation flight from Miami arrived in Caracas hours before Wednesday's 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes. On board were 146 Venezuelans, including 19 women and seven children, as tracked by ICE Flight Monitor, an initiative of Human Rights First that monitors deportation flights.
The deportees were transported to a hotel in La Guaira, one of the areas hardest hit by the earthquakes. Lisbeth Portillo, 58, recounted escaping the rubble with about 20 other deportees. They walked five kilometers seeking help and saw people running from the collapsed buildings, some naked and others barefoot.
The Venezuelan government has reported that more than 1,700 people were killed in the earthquakes. The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) did not immediately respond to requests for information. Survivors described chaotic scenes as they tried to escape the collapsing hotel, with some trapped under debris.
Jenny Rodriguez, 24, told Telemundo that she was on the flight and taken to the hotel. She recounted being trapped under rubble until a colleague helped free her. Portillo said she was standing on the balcony of the hotel when she felt the first earthquake and described hearing screams for help before the second quake hit.
A video from the Venezuelan government posted on social media showed images of the deportees being received by Venezuelan authorities upon their arrival at Caracas airport. As part of U.S. President Donald Trump’s drive for mass deportations, ICE Flight Monitor tracked 288 deportation flights to 38 countries in May, including Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, Chile and the Ivory Coast.
The US ran 12 deportation flights to Venezuela the same month, according to the monitor. Many of those on board last week’s deportation flight from Miami are now feared to be among the casualties of the earthquakes.
How this summary was created
This summary synthesizes reporting from 4 independent publishers using AI. All sources are cited and linked below. NewsBalance is a news aggregator and media literacy tool, not a news publisher. AI-generated content may contain errors or inaccuracies — always verify important information with the original sources.