Venezuelan authorities have announced that two powerful earthquakes that struck the country’s northern coast have so far claimed the lives of 235 people, injured more than 4,300 others, and left approximately 50,000 people still unaccounted for. In the aftermath of the disaster, 138 additional aftershocks have been recorded.
According to reports, the two earthquakes occurred on Wednesday afternoon, just 39 seconds apart. The first, measuring 7.2 on the Richter scale, struck near the San Felipe area, followed by a stronger 7.5-magnitude quake southeast of the city of Yumare.
Jorge Rodríguez, President of Venezuela’s National Assembly, stated that at least 346 facilities sustained damage as a result of the earthquakes, including 250 residential buildings, 20 commercial centers, and eight hospitals. He added that the coastal state of La Guaira suffered the highest number of casualties and the most extensive material damage.
Seismologists have described the event as a rare natural phenomenon known as “twin earthquakes,” in which two major tectonic earthquakes occur almost simultaneously within the same region.
Following the disaster, numerous countries have dispatched search-and-rescue teams, specialized equipment, and humanitarian assistance to Venezuela. The United States has deployed military assets to support rescue and logistics operations, while Brazil has sent 36 search-and-rescue specialists aboard a military cargo aircraft.
In addition, Ecuador, El Salvador, Mexico, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, and several other countries have either dispatched or pledged to send rescue teams, medical personnel, trained search dogs, and humanitarian aid to Venezuela.
Writer:Saeed Sameer
