In Venezuela, rescue crews say silence is key to hearing survivors under rubble

Rescue teams responding to the aftermath of a disaster in Venezuela have told NPR that they now treat silence as a practical tool to save lives, stopping much of the surrounding activity and asking people nearby to hold their voices so rescuers can better hear anyone who may still be alive under damaged structures.

NPR’s Eyder Peralta reported from La Guaira, a port city, where crews described how noise from digging, movement, and shouted instructions can drown out faint sounds that might indicate survivors. According to the report, teams often stop work and request quiet, then listen closely as part of their search-and-rescue approach.

The report describes an on-the-ground shift in procedure, with rescuers prioritizing auditory checks when they suspect people may be trapped. Rather than relying only on sight or standard calls for response, crews use periods of near-total stillness to identify breathing, knocking, or other signs that can guide where to cut, lift, or remove debris.

In that context, the request for silence is directed not only at people standing at the perimeter of a collapse site, but also at those in nearby areas who can affect the noise level through crowding, radios, or other activity. The aim is to keep the soundscape clear enough for responders to distinguish possible human indicates from background noise.

NPR said the practice has become part of the daily rhythm of rescue work in La Guaira, reflecting the limited window during which trapped residents might survive and the challenges of operating in unstable, hazardous environments. Crews are effectively turning residents’ cooperation into an operational condition for locating survivors.