A twin earthquake that was Venezuela’s largest in over a century has killed at least 164 people and destroyed multiple buildings near the capital, where residents searched Thursday for missing relatives. Venezuela’s strongest earthquake since 1900 sent rescuers and locals clambering in the dark over flattened apartments, hunting for survivors and extracting people from under the ruins.
France, Spain and the US offered to urgently send rescuers after the magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 quakes the United States Geological Survey (USGS) said struck areas west of the capital on Wednesday evening. The toll has climbed quickly, with interim president Delcy Rodriguez reporting at least 164 dead and over 970 hurt and noting the state of La Guaira north of Caracas was hit hard.
“We have nothing, right now we have nothing, not even the strength or the courage to go in there, just imagine,” Larry Rojas, 49, told AFP, standing in front of a collapsed building where his family was trapped in the La Guaira city of Catia La Mar. The coastal city was without electricity, and many residents spent the night in the streets or searching for their relatives, according to AFP reporters.
The 7.5-magnitude earthquake was Venezuela’s most powerful since 29 October 1900, when a 7.7-magnitude tremor struck offshore. Key information:
• The most affected areas include Venezuela’s capital Caracas, as well as the states of Miranda, La Guaira, Aragua, Carabobo, and Falcon
• Infrastructure and disruptions to essential services such as gas, electricity, and water supply were damaged. Mobile communications and the internet are also experiencing disruptions
• Maiquetia International Airport was closed due to infrastructure damage
• The go vernment has declared a state of emergency and suspended school classes and non-essential activities
• The General Emergency Staff, led by a designated military authority responsible for operations, has been activated to coordinate actions
• Various countries and international organizations, including the UN, the US, India, Mexico, and other countries in the region, have expressed their solidarity and offered support to Venezuela Agencies
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