Venezuelans Return to La Guaira Beaches Four Months After Double Earthquake
Hundreds of people went back to the beaches of La Guaira, Venezuela's hardest-hit state, after the June double earthquake. The beaches are open only on weekends.
Key points
- La Guaira's beaches reopened only on Saturdays and Sundays, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Hundreds of visitors came this weekend, though turnout was slow at first.
- % of the region's beaches are ready; the rest are still under repair.
- The June 24 double earthquake left at least 6,509 dead, according to official data.
The Governorate of La Guaira announced the reopening of beaches in the Venezuelan state hit hardest by the June 24 double earthquake. For now, visitors can come only on Saturdays and Sundays, from 8:00 a.m. To 5:00 p.m. Local time. The Beach Tourism Chamber explained that loud horns and high-power sound systems will not be allowed at the beaches.
Hundreds of people visited the beaches this weekend. Eneida Agüero, president of the Bahía Marina beach club in Catia La Mar, one of the areas hardest hit by the quake, told EFE that visitor numbers had been slow, because many people doubt the condition of the roads leading to the coast. She hopes turnout will grow over the coming weeks. According to Agüero, 80% of the region's beaches are ready to receive the public, and the rest are still being adapted.
Among the visitors was Keila Cuauro, an administrator who came from Caracas. She told EFE she wanted to support La Guaira's businesses and that, although the quake was strong, "life has to go on." Roiner Infante, a motorcycle taxi driver from Caracas, also took advantage of the reopening to visit with his girlfriend. "Our hearts are in La Guaira too," he said.
Meanwhile, training courses for service providers and recovery work on the damaged beaches continue Monday through Friday, the Chamber said on Instagram. The Governorate, also on Instagram, spoke of "deep pain" over the tragedy and said the reopening allows thousands of families who depend on the sector to begin their recovery.
The double earthquake left at least 6,509 people dead and nearly 18,000 displaced, along with 856 buildings affected and 190 collapsed, according to official data.