Families say a hotel that housed more than 100 Venezuelans who had recently been deported from the United States collapsed after deadly earthquakes struck, according to reports shared by relatives.

Relatives described confusion and urgency as news of the collapse spread. Some families said they had been told their loved ones were inside when the building failed, while others said they were trying to learn whether their relatives had survived. Several families alleged that they had limited information and struggled to contact people who were staying at the property.

The earthquakes triggered widespread damage across affected areas, with residents and responders working to pull people from rubble and assess the safety of damaged buildings. Emergency crews reportedly prioritized areas where multiple structures fell and where there were concerns that more people could be trapped.

Local officials have been investigating the hotel’s collapse, including questions about building stability and whether the structure met applicable safety standards. In the immediate aftermath, authorities and rescue workers focused on locating survivors and accounting for those believed to have been in the hotel at the time of the quake.

The claims about the deportees’ status and the number staying at the hotel have prompted renewed attention on the vulnerability of displaced people in the wake of natural disasters. Advocates for migrants and returned deportees said the incident underscores the need for safeguards and support systems as people transition into unfamiliar conditions.

As investigations continue, families said they are pressing for clarity on what happened, including confirmation of identities and updates on those missing.