Venezuela earthquakes toll more than doubles to 589: president
The official death toll from twin earthquakes in Venezuela more than doubled Friday to 589, interim president Delcy Rodriguez said, as rescuers raced to find survivors beneath collapsed buildings.
“Regrettably, we now have 589 people who died,” Rodriguez told a televised meeting with military and civilian officials. The previous official toll had been 235.
Venezuela announces fund for reconstruction after earthquakes
Venezuela’s acting president Delcy Rodriguez on Thursday announced a US$200 million fund for reconstruction after twin powerful earthquakes struck the country on Wednesday. “I would like to announce the creation of an initial fund of $200 million using resources we have at the International Monetary Fund, which will allow us to rebuild infrastructure and hospitals, and to construct housing for those who lost their homes,” Rodriguez said in a phone interview with state-run Venezolana de Television.
Venezuela’s National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez said Thursday that the death toll from the two powerful earthquakes has risen to 188, with 1,520 injured and about 200 people trapped under rubble.
China to provide emergency humanitarian aid to Venezuela
The Chinese government and the Red Cross Society of China will provide emergency humanitarian aid to Venezuela respectively, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun told a regular press briefing on Friday.
Agencies
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