North Texans among those searching for loved ones after Venezuelan quakes

Their desire to help in the wake of twin earthquakes was growing alongside desperation.

For Venezuelans far from home, boxing shipments of collected relief supplies felt like the only option.

“So this is the best that we can do, being immigrants and being outside our country,” said Diana Gomez.

Friday afternoon, the community gathered outside of businesses along Trinity Mills Road, gathering water, non-perishables and other necessities to ship to Caracas via an organization in Miami.

Their desire to help in the wake of twin earthquakes was growing alongside desperation.

“We’re looking for a friend of my dad, Dayalyn Tellez. She was in the zone of la Calendaria in Caracas. She was leaving the building la Petunia,” said Sebastian Hernandez.

Hernandez came to the supply drive while his family searched for information about the woman, whom he says is like a sister to his father. They believe she’s one of the many trapped in the rubble of a collapsed high-rise.

“I think she’s down in the building. We don’t know where she disappeared so any information about her and any dates about her will be appreciated for us,” he said.

A website created to locate the missing lists more than 60,000 people who are still unaccounted for, as of Friday evening.

Rescues throughout the day, including a baby girl found alive in the rubble, have buoyed hope while the death toll reaches 920.

One woman told rescuers she survived while holding onto a door frame as the floor beneath her gave way.

Hospitals in the region have reached capacity.

The U.S. State Department has committed more than $150 million to help Venezuela, along with search and rescue teams.

Similar rescue crews have deployed from around the world, according to the United Nations.