A week after returning from Venezuela, the stench of debris, smoke, and death in the coastal city of La Guaira remains unforgettable. The twin earthquakes that struck late last month caused catastrophic destruction, killing nearly 4,000 people and displacing thousands.
CBS News was the first American broadcast network to report from the devastation. The city, once known for its port and beaches, resembled a war zone. Residents and rescue workers from across the globe, including U.S. teams, dug through pancaked apartment buildings with their hands, searching for signs of life.
The official death toll is expected to climb. An estimated 50,000 Venezuelans were reported missing. Amid the despair, glimpses of hope appeared. In a Caracas camp for the displaced, children played soccer. Volunteer veterinarians set up a makeshift clinic for injured pets.
Despite political tensions, Venezuelans welcomed American aid. U.S. rescue teams included a three-year-old canine named Zilla, who helped rescue a family of three from rubble. A multinational team saved Hernan Gil Flores, a security guard trapped for eight days.
His wife called it "a total miracle."