Venezuela Quakes: Toll Hits 920; Rescue Teams Search On
Two powerful earthquakes devastatingly impact Venezuela, leaving hundreds dead, thousands injured, and causing billions of dollars in infrastructure damage.
Rescue teams in Venezuela are working urgently to find survivors following two powerful earthquakes. The death toll has sadly risen to 920, and international aid has started arriving in the hardest-hit areas.
Read More: A 6.9 Earthquake Hits Central Philippines
The twin earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude, struck within a minute of each other on Wednesday evening. The powerful tremors collapsed several buildings and caused severe damage to the country's main international airport.
Impact and Casualties
According to official reports, the earthquakes have caused widespread devastation in the capital city of Caracas and surrounding regions. The current situation includes:
- 920 confirmed deaths
- 3,360 people injured
- 172 people still trapped under rubble
- Over 50,000 people reported missing
On Friday afternoon, a weaker 4.9 magnitude aftershock shook Caracas and the nearby city of Maracay, causing further concern among residents.
Basic Services and Infrastructure Damage
Many communities are currently facing shortages of electricity, clean water, and gas due to ongoing aftershocks. While Venezuela’s key oil facilities remain safe and operational, one shipping terminal near the epicentre of the quake was damaged.
Interim President Delcy Rodriguez has declared the coastal region of La Guaira a disaster zone, where more than 250 buildings were damaged. The region houses the Simon Bolivar International Airport, which suffered extensive damage. At least five other states across the country have also been affected.
Recovery and Relief Efforts
To support recovery efforts, the government announced an initial $200 million reconstruction fund. These resources will be used to repair hospitals, homes, and public infrastructure. Officials are also planning a support fund for victims, and local banks will offer special credit lines to help those who have lost their jobs or businesses.
In addition to government search efforts, community groups have launched a dedicated website to help families track and find missing loved ones.
A United Nations report estimates the total damage from the two earthquakes at approximately $6.7 billion. The second tremor was recorded as the most powerful earthquake to hit Venezuela in over a century.
AI contributed to the creation of this article.