Nearly 600 people have died in Venezuela after two powerful earthquakes struck the country on Wednesday night, and the number is expected to increase as rescuers continue searching through fallen buildings.
Acting President Delcy Rodrígu upez confirmed on Friday that 589 people have died and 2,980 others have been injured.
The two quakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude struck Venezuela’s coast within seconds of each other, destroying buildings in the capital, Caracas, and causing people to run into the streets.
Rescue teams are working around the clock to reach those still trapped under the rubble, with the first 72 hours after a disaster regarded as the most critical window for saving lives.
The coastal state of La Guaira, just north of Caracas, has been hit hardest. More than 100 buildings have collapsed there, and at least 70,000 families have been affected, according to Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello.
The government has declared a national state of emergency and called on all doctors and nurses to report to work immediately, as hospitals struggle to cope with the rising number of casualties.
The country’s main airport has been closed due to roof damage, and schools are shut for the rest of the week.
Because official rescue resources are limited, volunteers have started arriving at disaster sites with their own tools — shovels, hammers, and basic equipment — to help clear the rubble.
Aid is arriving from abroad. Countries including the United States, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, and Colombia are sending rescue teams and supplies. The United States has also pledged $200 million to help rebuild homes and hospitals damaged in the disaster.
The United Nations warned that even before the earthquakes, nearly 8 million people in Venezuela were already in need of humanitarian assistance, stating that this disaster could aggravate the situation considerably.
Administrator and Writer
