Over 900 Dead, Thousands Injured in Devastating Venezuelan Earthquake

Caracas. More than 900 people have died and over 3,360 have been injured in the devastating earthquake that struck Venezuela. According to the government, rescue operations are being intensified for those buried under the rubble, while people are anxiously waiting for their missing family members.

Dozens of buildings in the northern part of the country and the capital Caracas have collapsed, and the injured are being treated in temporary medical camps. A high-ranking government official informed that hundreds of international rescuers have already arrived in the country, and more teams are on their way.

Two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela on Wednesday with a few seconds interval. The second earthquake was of magnitude 7.5, considered the most powerful tremor in a century.

The La Guaira region, north of the capital, has been the most affected by the earthquake, where the country's main airport and a major port are located. With many people missing after the earthquake, the death toll is expected to rise further. In La Guaira, a woman named Natacha Diaz tearfully recounted that her two daughters were trapped in the rubble of a collapsed building and she hoped they would return alive.

Jorge Rodríguez, President of the National Assembly, stated on state television on Friday that the death toll had reached 920, and at least 172 people might still be trapped under the rubble. At least 243 people have been rescued alive from the La Guaira region alone.

Acting President Delcy Rodríguez expressed happiness that dozens of people could be rescued alive. According to her, 214 aftershocks have occurred since the main earthquake. Hundreds of buildings, including hospitals and shopping centers, have been destroyed by the earthquake, and more than 1,000 other infrastructures have been damaged.

Venezuela's health sector, already in crisis before the disaster, is now overwhelmed by the influx of patients. Dr. Pedro Javier Fernández said that it is very difficult for hospitals, which are already facing shortages of medicines and supplies in normal times, to cope with this catastrophe.

Despite initial difficulties in rescue operations due to communication disruptions, collapsed roads, and lack of resources, rescuers are clearing rubble with their bare hands to pull people out. Countries like the United Kingdom, the United States, the Netherlands, Mexico, and Switzerland have sent their expert teams, dogs, and rescue equipment including drones. The United States has announced aid of $150 million along with warships and transport planes.

Jan Egeland, Secretary-General of the Norwegian Refugee Council, pointed out that Venezuela, due to decades of economic crisis and weak infrastructure, was not prepared for such an emergency.

Tom Fletcher, UN Humanitarian Affairs Chief, clarified that global cooperation is needed in this disaster and aid is on its way. Meanwhile, some hope has been rekindled among the citizens as a video of three young sisters being rescued alive from the rubble in La Guaira was released.

Tributes are being paid to those who lost their lives in the disaster. The tragic news has emerged that Andrea, the wife of Venezuelan football player Hector Bello, lost her life while saving their young daughter. Bello wrote an emotional post on social media, stating that his wife did not let go of their daughter until her last breath and that he would tell their daughter the story of her mother's bravery.

Among the deceased are citizens of Portugal, Brazil, and Spain. Diosdado Cabello, the Minister of Interior Affairs, stated that many states have been affected by the earthquake.

This natural disaster has struck Venezuela amidst significant political uncertainty. Just about six months ago, US forces had arrested leftist leader Nicolás Maduro, who had been in power since 2013, from Caracas and taken him to New York to face drug trafficking charges, leading to a tense atmosphere between Maduro's allies and the opposition.

BBC