Two Earthquakes In Venezuela Kill At Least 164
Twin earthquakes devastated Venezuela on Wednesday morning, killing at least 164 people and injuring 971, as rescuers raced against time to reach survivors trapped beneath collapsed buildings.
by COLlive Editor · COLliveTwin earthquakes devastated Venezuela on Wednesday morning, killing at least 164 people and injuring 971, as rescuers raced against time to reach survivors trapped beneath collapsed buildings.
The back-to-back 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude quakes were among the strongest to hit the country in more than a century, causing widespread destruction across several states. La Guaira, north of Caracas, suffered some of the worst damage and was declared a disaster zone after dozens of buildings collapsed.
Emergency crews, assisted by volunteers, worked through the rubble as authorities redirected rescue teams to the hardest-hit areas. Three children were pulled alive from the debris in La Guaira, while officials warned that many more people are believed to remain trapped.
Acting President Delcy Rodríguez declared a nationwide state of emergency and announced a $200 million reconstruction fund for damaged homes and hospitals. She also appealed for heavy construction equipment and confirmed that United Nations-certified rescue teams were on their way to assist.
The earthquakes knocked out power and cellphone service in parts of the country, forced the closure of Simón Bolívar International Airport, suspended Caracas subway service, and prompted schools to close, with some campuses being converted into emergency shelters.
The tremors were felt as far away as Brazil and Colombia, triggering evacuations in several cities. Although tsunami alerts were briefly issued, they were later lifted.
International offers of assistance quickly followed, with the United States deploying search-and-rescue teams and humanitarian aid, while Israel, Ecuador, Qatar, Mexico and El Salvador also announced support or rescue personnel for the disaster response.
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