Hundreds remain trapped beneath collapsed buildings as authorities warn the toll could climb amid continuing aftershocks….reports Asian Lite News Desk
The death toll from the twin powerful earthquakes that struck Venezuela has risen to at least 235, the country’s Health Ministry said on Thursday, as rescue teams continued a desperate search for hundreds of people feared trapped beneath collapsed buildings.
Authorities warned that the casualty figure is expected to climb further as emergency responders struggle to access some of the worst-hit areas devastated by the disaster.
The two shallow earthquakes, measuring magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, struck just 40 seconds apart on Wednesday, making them the strongest to hit the South American nation in more than a century and the deadliest in decades, according to Xinhua news agency.
The quakes caused widespread destruction across Venezuela’s central coast and the capital, Caracas, flattening buildings, disrupting electricity and communications, and triggering a series of aftershocks that have complicated rescue efforts and raised fears of further structural collapses.
National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez said around 200 people are still believed to be trapped beneath the rubble.
“We are racing against time in the hope of rescuing as many people as possible,” Rodriguez told reporters during a press conference on Thursday.
Both earthquakes originated at a depth of just 10 kilometres, allowing their energy to be released close to the surface and significantly amplifying the impact. The close succession of the tremors, followed by repeated aftershocks, has further increased the risk of additional building collapses.
The epicentres were located near Caracas, one of Venezuela’s most densely populated regions, contributing to the scale of the devastation.
Experts noted that Venezuela has not experienced a major earthquake in nearly five decades, leaving many communities inadequately prepared for a disaster of this magnitude. Aging infrastructure and years of underinvestment have also heightened the vulnerability of buildings to severe seismic activity.
To accelerate rescue and recovery operations, Rodriguez announced a series of emergency measures, including the mobilisation of heavy debris-clearing equipment from private companies, the creation of a $200 million emergency assistance fund, and special credit facilities for businesses affected by the disaster.
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Yvan Gil said Venezuela is coordinating with the international community to facilitate humanitarian assistance. At least a dozen countries have offered support and expressed solidarity with the earthquake-hit nation as relief efforts continue.
