Silence Becomes a Lifeline for Venezuelan Rescuers

Rescue teams in Venezuela have adopted a simple, urgent tactic: they stop nearly everything and ask for silence so they can hear for any signs of life beneath the rubble. In the port city of La Guaira, crews pause machinery, halt shouting and quiet onlookers to listen for calls, taps or other noises that might indicate survivors trapped under collapsed structures. The practice has become a critical tool in ongoing search-and-rescue operations, where every faint sound can guide teams to people in need. NPR’s Eyder Peralta reports from La Guaira, describing how this quiet, patient method complements other rescue efforts as workers scour debris in hopes of finding those still alive.