The death toll from the devastating earthquakes that struck Venezuela has risen to at least 235, with about 4,300 people injured as rescue workers continue the search for survivors trapped beneath collapsed buildings.
The twin earthquakes, measured at magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5 by the United States Geological Survey, struck northern Venezuela less than a minute apart on Wednesday night, leaving widespread destruction across several communities.
Health Minister, Carlos Alvarado, confirmed the latest casualty figures, while authorities warned that powerful aftershocks continue to pose additional risks.
Rescue efforts have been hampered by limited equipment and a shortage of trained personnel, with residents in some of the worst-hit areas reporting that victims remained trapped beneath rubble for hours.
In La Guaira State, one of the hardest-hit regions, residents recounted heartbreaking scenes of people crying out for help from beneath collapsed buildings as emergency responders struggled to reach them.
Related Posts:
Interim President, Delcy RodrÃguez, visited the disaster zone on Thursday after the area was declared a disaster zone.
The international community has pledged support for Venezuela, with countries including Switzerland, Spain, France, Portugal and Mexico dispatching rescue specialists and emergency teams.
The United States also announced the deployment of two warships, transport aircraft and helicopters, alongside an emergency aid package worth 150 million dollars.
The United Nations has also pledged assistance, with Secretary-General, António Guterres, expressing sadness over the tragedy and calling for massive collective efforts to support recovery operations.
Authorities said the country’s main international airport in La Guaira remains closed after sustaining significant damage, complicating relief and rescue efforts.
The earthquakes, described as the strongest to hit Venezuela in more than a century, were also felt in neighbouring Colombia and parts of northern Brazil, triggering evacuations and widespread panic.
Search and rescue operations are continuing as families and emergency workers race against time to locate survivors trapped beneath the rubble.
