Amman: Citizens evacuated from Venezuela have recounted harrowing scenes of destruction following the recent twin earthquakes, while praising the swift response by Jordanian authorities that ensured their safe return to the Kingdom.
According to Jordan News Agency, after arriving in Amman aboard the evacuation flight, the returnees said the operation was carried out smoothly and efficiently, reflecting Jordan's commitment to the welfare and safety of its citizens abroad.
Abdelilah Saleh, one of the evacuees, said the evacuation was well organized from start to finish, expressing gratitude for the efforts made to bring them home safely and commending His Majesty King Abdullah II for closely following the situation of Jordanians abroad. Saleh noted that many Jordanians remain in Venezuela, explaining that a large portion of the community lives in areas unaffected by the disaster, while the most severe damage was concentrated in the coastal region of La Guaira.
Describing the devastation, he said buildings collapsed completely, likening the scenes to "biscuit boxes" crumbling to the ground. He added that the residential building where he had been staying sustained significant structural damage but remained partially standing, allowing a number of residents to survive. He also recalled the loss of Jordanian citizen Ali and his wife, who were killed when part of their 14-story apartment building collapsed. Their son survived after escaping the rubble, while recovery operations and burial procedures for the victims took several days.
Saleh said the injured child who returned to Jordan aboard the evacuation flight, accompanied by his brother, was given priority during the evacuation by their uncle. He explained that the child suffered multiple injuries, including trauma to the eye, and requires ongoing medical care. He added that the child's brother was outside the building when it collapsed and witnessed the tragedy, leaving him with severe psychological trauma similar to that experienced by many survivors.
Other evacuees echoed Saleh's appreciation, saying they felt reassured from the first moments of the crisis by Jordan's direct concern for their safety. They thanked His Majesty King Abdullah II for overseeing the evacuation efforts and issuing directives to facilitate their safe return to the Kingdom. The returnees also praised the professionalism of the Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army in carrying out the evacuation mission, describing the operation as highly organized and efficiently executed.
They said the destruction in the disaster-hit areas exceeded anything they had imagined, with entire residential buildings reduced to rubble and widespread fear among local residents. The evacuees further commended Jordan's search and rescue team, noting that its humanitarian efforts earned widespread respect from both local residents and Venezuelan authorities. They said the team continued operating under extremely difficult field conditions, demonstrating the professionalism, expertise, and humanitarian commitment that characterize Jordan's international disaster-response missions.