Costa Rica earthquake death toll climbs; shaking continues and nerves remain frayed

The search for victims continues in Costa Rica in the aftermath of Thursday's 6.2-magnitude earthquake, which is believed responsible for as many as 34 deaths, according to CNN.

On Saturday, the Judicial Investigation Police released names of nine of the victims: Ana María Rodríguez Picado, Yitsi Tatiana Oliva Díaz, Maricela Argüello Díaz, Miguel Arteta Montoya, Roberto Jara Jiménez, Jeremy Alfaro Arias, Roberto Chavez Solis, Edwin Masis Villegas and Fabián Andrés Díaz Solis.

Forty-three people were still missing in the Vara Blanca and Cinchona areas, which are closest to the epicenter and about 20 miles northwest of the capital city of San Jose. Many residents are without water and there have been reports of looting in vacated areas.

The Tico Times quoted the tourism minister as saying many of the tourists stranded in the Vara Blanca area near the popular La Paz Waterfall Gardens left the area on foot. The newspaper added, "accounts from tourists that made it out described the elaborate and renowned gardens as 'totally destroyed,' and the hotel as seriously damaged."

From his home in San Jose, college student Francisco Quijano said in an interview that there was another aftershock this morning and that residents remained on edge.

Quijano said a large truck drove past his home late last night, causing the walls and floors to shake, "and my mother nearly had a heart attack."

Here's hoping for less shaking and a speedy return to normalcy. Outposts, again, offers heartfelt condolences to those who have suffered losses.

Photo: Fishermen ply the San Juan River in a dugout canoe. Credit: Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times

Comments

[Tiffany DeRuyter]

My family is traveling to Costa Rica soon. Are the roads fine to drive on throughout the country or are their certain places we should avoid?

[Mary Robin]

My brother and his girlfriend were backbacking near the La Paz waterfalls and valcano... He emailed two hours after the quake and said he is fine and will email later... we have not heard from him and are very concerned... Please respond if you have any new information about the tourists in and arround Las Paz. Their names are Kristoffer Robin and Abby Jo McMacken.

[Karolina Perisic]

Karolina

We haven't heard from my sister and her husband since the earthquake has hit Costa Rica, and we can't reach them on their phones either, we are extremely worried,hoping that they haven't suffered any injuries. They are located in San Jose. My sister is Serbian and her name is IZRAELLA MOLNAR WILLIAMS, her husband is Costa Rican and his name is CARLTON WILLIAMS PHILLIPS. If somebody could tell me any information about them I would appreciate your help.
Ella, please let us know that you're ok. We all miss you very much.

[Paula Chacon]

Today some worried mother emailed me to ask if I could help her find her daughter in Costa Rica. Turns out she was OK and hadn't call home earlier because she was not in the area of the earthquake and wasn't aware of the magnitude of the quake. I believe that must be the case of MANY who have not reported back to their families here in the U.S.
If you are certain that your significant ones were planning to stay in Poas - La Paz - Sarapiqui, please call the Costa Rican Tourism Institute: 011 506 22-99-58-00 ext. 432 or 437 (operator's name is Johanna and she speaks English). They have a list with the names of missing tourists as well as those tourists who were rescued from that area and taken back to the Capital city.

[Paula Chacon]

If you wonder about the whereabouts of your significant ones, please visit the Costa Rica Tourist Board on: http://www.visitcostarica.com/ict/paginas/Novedades.asp?idNove=620
or contact 1-888-600-6806 within the United States and Canada or +1-305-347-4396 from elsewhere.

[Niels Jansen]

Dear all,
I was in CR at the time of the quake not very far from the epicentre. Fortunately I am fine. Before my return to The Netherlands I spoke to Dutch people in San José who were actually at the La Paz waterfalls at the time of the quake. They informed me that the rescue helicopers actually charged 1600 dollars per person to be evacuated from the falls. Therefore they decided to leave the area on foot. I find it really hard to believe that people are actually trying to make money on the backs of the victims. I understand that for Americans it is very normal to pay cash for any kind of healthcare and I heard that Americans were the first to jump on the chopper and pull their creditcards for it. In our country these kind of rescue operations would be free of charge, as I believe they should be. Recently the army send a chopper full of water and food to people on an island near Amsterdam because the watersupply in their house froze.
My thoughts go out to all the innocent victims and their families in this beautiful country.
Best,
Niels.

[Ray Krueger Koplin]

There is a Google map on mapcr.com showing the epicenter and the current road closures, bridge collapses and landslides as listed by the Costa Rican Department of transportation MOPT. Some of the affected hotels and businesses are also shown

http://mapcr.com/travel-map/148/Costa-Rica-Earthquake.html

[Laura]

Niels,

What happened with the choppers was awful, but I think I should clear this up saying it was a private company that did this. The Red Cross and other rescue choppers of course didn't charge anything. But according to the news, several tourists at Waterfall Gardens hired the private company to come and rescue them because the other rescue squad was taking too long and they were trapped. The company is called AENSA.

Of course it was wrong that they tried to take advantage of such horrible situation, but it's necessary to clarify that it was one company that did this. Those weren't the official Red Cross rescue brigades.

[Arles Soto Diaz]

I have an uncle living in costa rica his name is constantino diaz and he is 56 years old live in around san jose I have no heard from him since the earthquake please if anyone knows anything about him please email me newyorkkino@yahoo.com

[Marco Castro]

Here's a group you guys can check:
Costa Rica Earthquake: How to help the victims (if you live outside the country) +more info: http://www.new.facebook.com/group.php?gid=49002971441

[fernando in costa rica]

the photo depicted in this article is nowhere near the earthquake in costa rica and may not even be in the country of (looks more like nicaragua or panama at best). i expect better from the L. A. Times. Perhaps due to cutbacks they no longer have the resources to send someone over personally but you'd think they'd at least get a photo from a local news photographer or at the very very least get a stock photo of the actual region affected.

the area affected by the quake, although low in population, was pristine primary canopy rain forest. the environmental damage is tremendous and the environmental equivalent of the loss of a priceless architectural landmark (think how los angeles would feel if the Getty Center fell on the 405 freeway).

[Cheryl]

Helicopter comment.

I live here. North American. The United States sent helicopters and help, Columbia sent helicopters and help, I believe Nicaragua did. There are only a couple of public helicopters in the country.

NOTE: 35 or more miles of scenic highway collapsed. GONE... along with it 185 homes. And, unfortunately a lot of lives went too. I had friends up there. There have been over 2,000 aftershocks and the lovely people up in those mountains have no home, no food, water, electricity or LAND. Ok, so now we have 5 helicopters. And, only about 1,000 people waving their hands and begging to come down off the mountain.

I understand, and it just purely might be another rumor...... that private helicopters were called because the tourist wanted down and safe.... people dangling from rooftops were a priority, babies and old folks.... thus, they themselves bargained with the private planes to take them to rescue. The word here ws $700... perhaps that was per person. I don't know but the owner of Waterfall Gardens I am pretty sure had their number easily.

YOUR own rescue helicopters would never charge you to take you to safely.... and these poor people do not have any money to pay anyone. So, just like the price gougers of plywood in a hurricane, the private companies looked for the rich people.... or ones with credit cards. Who were no doubt, freaking out.

Please, please don't blame Costa Rica..... this whole thing is a horrible horrible tragedy for everyone. I imagine that have not done anything exactly right but I have watched them pull people from mountainsides and out of cars and just fall on the ground crying and exhausted. 24/7. Everyone's wellfare was their first priority.... they even risks their own lives to go onto grounds that were not solid.

Though guests, priority had to be given. I understand saving people that are drowning in a river over top of a group of people, safe and sound with many guides and vehicles makes sense. I doubt they had any idea what was going on right up the road..... Its thick densed rainforest.... you could not see over ridges.

I hope all of your friends and family are safe. The photos I saw of tourist later they were sitting in beautiful bamboo furniture out on a flat area.... looking tired but in very good condition.

hopabout

[sgelliott]

We were at the La Paz Waterfall gardens, the epicenter of the violent, devastating earthquake-the park suffered severe damage. We were among the fortunate to be helicoptered out. It cost $1400 for the flight which could take 5 people (approx $300 per person). We took 2 injured people with us at our expense to fill the flight....this seemed like pennies to us and we are very grateful. The local people have been deeply impacted. The latest is 23 deaths and over 20 still missing (almost all villagers). There are some truly sad stories and Costa Rica sees this as a very serious tragedy. The president has declared a national emergency, and a period of national mourning. Festivals have been canceled and flags are flying at half mast. We saw incredible efforts by the staff, tour guides and park visitors to provide 1st aid and comfort people. Please pray for all the missing and injured people and wildlife and the families that lost their loved ones. Many of the nearby villages were flattened and there are 2500 native people in outdoor tent shelters in the rain who’s homes have been destroyed. Many may never be able to return to their homes as the land is nothing but unstable landslides.

To make a donation, Western Union will provide U.S. customers with no fee Quick Collect® money transfer services for donations up to US$1,000 until March 2, 2009. Customers should make donations by requesting code city EARTHQUAKERELIEF CR (in the U.S. only). The code should enter EARTHQUAKERELIEF, CR in the account field. Western Union Foundation President Luella Chavez D’Angelo said, "The earthquake damages to Alajuela and other parts of Costa Rica are catastrophic, leaving families and children in need of help. The Western Union Foundation and our Western Union employees in Costa Rica are committed to helping those in needs.” The Costa Rican Red Cross will invest the funds to assist 5,000 families who lost their homes, by addressing their basic humanitarian and early recovery needs including the distribution of emergency supplies, hygiene products, non-perishable food and clean water,” said Miguel Carmona, President of the Costa Rican Red Cross.
We hope that the wildlife at La Paz Waterfall Gardens, will find safe homes and know that the park is doing everything in our power to make sure they are well taken care of through this trying time. The main focus has been on rescue and recovery efforts of the people who are still trapped in the area.

[sgelliott]

How to make a donation:
Many of the nearby villages were flattened and there are 2500 native people in outdoor tent shelters in the rain who’s homes have been destroyed. Many may never be able to return to their homes as the land is nothing but unstable landslides.
To make a donation, Western Union will provide U.S. customers with no fee Quick Collect® money transfer services for donations up to US$1,000 until March 2, 2009. Customers should make donations by requesting code city EARTHQUAKERELIEF CR (in the U.S. only). The code should enter EARTHQUAKERELIEF, CR in the account field.

Western Union Foundation President Luella Chavez D’Angelo said, "The earthquake damages to Alajuela and other parts of Costa Rica are catastrophic, leaving families and children in need of help. The Western Union Foundation and our Western Union employees in Costa Rica are committed to helping those in needs.” The Costa Rican Red Cross will invest the funds to assist 5,000 families who lost their homes, by addressing their basic humanitarian and early recovery needs including the distribution of emergency supplies, hygiene products, non-perishable food and clean water,” said Miguel Carmona, President of the Costa Rican Red Cross.

[southoc]

Very good use of a Blog. I hope everyone finds who they are looking for.

[Frank]

Airship may possiblely help search people in earthquake such as CA-150 (Vantage Airship) etc.

[Cheryl]

Dear sgelliott

Thank you for such a beautiful comment. I am so glad you are safe as I am all the tourist that were up at Waterfall Garden. I pray for the recovery of those that were hurt but feel blessed that lives there were not lost.

Things have calmed down a bit here in Alajuela, though when you look up at the volcano it only takes seconds to remember what occurred on the 8th. Though the numbers were small compared to many earthquake and hurricane disasters the tiny country is in mourning for their people, their families and for the beautiful locations that were distroyed.

I will say they are a strong people. One man who sells strawberries in the market survived, lost his sister and two cousins and was there at work the next Saturday. I was the one with tears in my eyes as he told me and showed me a photo in the paper of his flattened house. He said: Mam, it will be OK... we just need time.

Thank you for kindness and straightening out the bad reputation of the country for quick response. I was very proud of them, immediately they ordered help from trained military men in other countries, copters, aid... and as soon as it was safe they got to the most devastated placed..... just over the ridge from where you were.

This experience may change your life. Sure shook mine !

hopabout

[Sam]

I'm from Cananda, and i was staying at my aunts house when the earthquake happned. I was so scared, i had never experienced anything like it. I wa so scared i didn't know what to do. Thankfully no one was hurt, but i feel so bad for those who have lost family and i pray for the people who are missing for them to be found.