Caracas, June 29: The President of the Venezuelan National Assembly, Jorge Rodriguez, announced that the death toll from two powerful earthquakes that struck Venezuela on Wednesday has risen to 1,450.
In a new update regarding the national emergency, Rodriguez reported that the earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude, have been followed by 430 aftershocks of varying intensity.
According to the Xinhua News Agency, Rodriguez previously stated on government television that the disaster has left 3,238 individuals injured and affected 3,142 families.
Expressing deep condolences to the thousands of victims, Rodriguez noted that rescue operations are ongoing, with teams working around the clock.
Meanwhile, the Venezuelan Foundation for Seismological Research reported a 4.1 magnitude earthquake felt in the central region of the country, adding to the distress of residents already shaken by the earlier quakes.
The state’s earthquake agency indicated that the epicenter of the latest tremor was located approximately 35 kilometers west of La Guaira, a major port city on the central coast, which has been declared a disaster zone due to the severe damage from the earlier earthquakes.
The agency noted that the earthquake occurred at a shallow depth of 5 kilometers, which typically increases ground shaking and the risk of structural damage.
Residents in Caracas and surrounding areas reported feeling the tremors, prompting many to flee buildings out of fear of further collapses. This latest quake struck just days after the region experienced two significant earthquakes, resulting in widespread destruction, including building collapses, landslides, and fatalities.
Authorities are facing challenges in coordinating relief efforts as rescue teams work tirelessly to reach affected communities in coastal and mountainous areas.
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