The number of fatalities following the twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela earlier this week has tragically climbed to 1,430. This update comes from Jorge Rodríguez, the country's National Assembly president, who also confirmed that 3,200 people sustained injuries and a further 3,100 have been left without homes. The powerful 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude quakes, which occurred within a minute of each other on Wednesday evening, caused widespread devastation, particularly in the northern regions.
The search for survivors remains a critical priority, with rescuers battling against time to locate those trapped beneath collapsed buildings. A staggering 68,900 people have been reported unaccounted for by their families, highlighting the immense scale of the disaster. In areas like La Guaira, one of the hardest-hit zones, civilians are actively participating in the rescue efforts, using basic tools and even their bare hands to sift through debris.
Amidst the grim recovery efforts, a moment of hope emerged on Saturday when an 11-year-old boy was successfully rescued alive from the rubble in the coastal city of Caraballeda. Interim President Delcy Rodríguez shared news of the rescue, emphasising that 'every life is a source of hope for Venezuela' during this challenging period. This rescue underscores the critical importance of ongoing search operations.
The United Nations has provided a preliminary assessment of the economic impact, estimating that the earthquakes have caused approximately $6.7 billion in damage. This figure, equivalent to 6% of Venezuela's Gross Domestic Product, primarily accounts for losses to assets such as housing and does not yet encompass the broader economic disruption. The country's acting president has mobilised over 14,000 military and police personnel to patrol affected areas, where access remains restricted, requiring special permits.
International assistance has begun to arrive, with rescue teams from various nations, including Mexico, the US, Brazil, El Salvador, and France, joining efforts already underway by teams from the Netherlands, Turkey, and the UK. However, logistical challenges persist. A specialist UK crisis-response team from the charity Serve On faced significant delays, becoming stranded at Madrid airport for over 24 hours due to severe damage to Simón Bolívar International airport, Venezuela's main international gateway. Their team leader, Vernon Young, stressed the time-critical nature of their mission, highlighting the importance of reaching the affected areas swiftly to maximise the chances of saving lives.
Foreign nationals are among the confirmed fatalities, with reports indicating 15 individuals of Portuguese nationality or descent, seven Chinese, two Brazilians, five Spaniards, and one Italian-Venezuelan. The US military has also pledged support to coordinate flights for rescue workers, mobile hospitals, and vital supplies, with a US Navy transport ship positioned off the Venezuelan coast to receive airlifted survivors requiring medical attention. Loyce Pace, the International Red Cross's regional director for the Americas, noted the widespread fear among residents to re-enter their damaged homes, further complicating recovery and displacement efforts.
Source: The Guardian