Venezuela quake death toll rises to 1,943; over 10,000 injured
Caracas, July 1
Venezuelan National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez said that the death toll from the two powerful earthquakes that recently struck the country has risen to 1,943, with more than 10,000 injured.
The government has declared a state of emergency in the worst-affected regions and has mobilised the armed forces to assist in relief and rehabilitation efforts. Shelters have been set up for displaced families, and medical teams are providing care to the injured, Xinhua news agency reported.
A fresh 4.2-magnitude earthquake hit near the Venezuelan cities of Caracas and La Guaira on Monday morning, causing alarm among local residents who were seen leaving buildings for open spaces, just days after two powerful tremors devastated the region.
According to a report by the official Venezuelan Foundation for Seismological Research, the tremor's epicentre in the Caribbean Sea was located just 10 km off the coast of La Guaira state, the region worst hit by the 7.2- and 7.5-magnitude earthquakes that occurred on Wednesday. The latest aftershock struck at approximately 9:30 am local time, sending shockwaves through the already jittery population.
Residents in Caracas, the capital, and the coastal city of La Guaira rushed out of their homes and workplaces as buildings swayed. Many were seen gathering in parks, plazas and other open spaces, fearing further structural collapses.
"We are terrified. We have not slept properly since Wednesday. Every tremor makes us run out," said Maria Lopez, a resident of La Guaira, speaking to local media.
Despite the panic, authorities said no additional damage or casualties had been reported from Monday's aftershock.
"We have no reports of additional damage anywhere in the national territory," Rodriguez said after the tremor. He urged citizens to remain calm and follow official instructions.
The aftershock comes as Venezuela continues to grapple with the aftermath of the twin earthquakes that struck on Wednesday.
On Sunday, Rodriguez confirmed that the death toll from those powerful quakes had risen to 1,450, with 774 buildings either completely collapsed or severely damaged. Rescue operations are still underway in several affected areas, with emergency teams working tirelessly to search for survivors trapped under rubble.
Local authorities have appealed to citizens to avoid damaged structures and to cooperate with rescue teams. The government has also set up hotlines for emergency assistance and has advised residents in coastal areas to move to higher ground as a precautionary measure against potential tsunamis.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Such a tragedy! But I'm wondering why there's not more international coverage of this. 1,943 people dead and 10,000 injured - that's major. It's almost like Venezuela's political situation makes the world look away. The 4.2 aftershock must have been terrifying for people already traumatized. Hope relief reaches all affected areas.
Imagine the state of infrastructure there - 774 buildings collapsed. Reminds me of how poorly constructed buildings in India also cause so many casualties during earthquakes. Our building codes need to be strictly enforced, especially in seismic zones. The Venezuelan government's call for people to avoid damaged structures is crucial.
It's terrible, but I have to point out that the Venezuelan government's response seems slow. They should have been better prepared given the region's seismic history. The fact that they're still searching for survivors after a week suggests search and rescue operations are under-resourced. Hope they get more international help soon.
The tsunami warning for coastal areas is frightening. India also faced this during the 2004 tsunami - we learned the hard way. But these earthquakes are so close to the coast, near Caracas and La Guaira. Hope people are moving to higher ground as advised. Also, those rescue workers are real heroes 💪
My heart goes out to Maria Lopez and everyone living in fear. Not being able to sleep since Wednesday, every tremor making them run out - that's psychological trauma that will last years. India should offer whatever assistance we can, even though we're far away. Disaster knows no borders.
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