The death toll from the earthquakes in Venezuela has reached 589, while 2,980 people have been injured, acting president Delcy Rodríguez announced.
As search-and-rescue teams continue working to pull people trapped under the rubble within the “golden window” of up to 72 hours after the seismic strike, authorities warn that the number of victims is expected to rise significantly as more bodies are discovered.
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“We are continuing our efforts tirelessly to save lives,” Rodríguez told Venezuela’s state broadcaster, while also praising the arrival of international aid and emergency teams.
“We have saved dozens of lives,” the president said.
La Huira and Morón are reported to be the hardest-hit areas, where residents together with rescue teams are searching for survivors among the ruins. Due to a lack of heavy machinery, in many cases digging is being done by hand. Both injured people and victims are being pulled from the rubble.
Health Minister Carlos Alvarado confirmed that the official death toll has risen to 235, but acknowledged that many people remain missing. According to models by the United States Geological Survey (USGS), there are fears that the death toll could exceed 10,000, depending on developments in areas where teams have not yet arrived.
The consequences of the disaster have also affected foreign nationals. Brazil confirmed the deaths of two of its citizens, while Italy announced that an Italian-Venezuelan citizen lost his life in the collapse of a building. China also reported the loss of two of its citizens.
Hospitals in the affected regions are overcrowded with the injured and are facing severe shortages of medicines, medical equipment, and basic supplies. In some cases, due to a lack of space, patients are receiving treatment in hospital courtyards.
Residents have made urgent appeals for more aid and rescue equipment, denouncing a lack of coordination and delays in the response. Thousands of people have been left without shelter, drinking water, and food, while looting incidents have also been reported in some areas.
The Venezuelan government has declared a state of emergency and announced that international aid from the United States, Spain, Mexico, and Qatar is on its way to the country. The US has also approved a $150 million aid package and deployed military assets to support search-and-rescue operations.
Meanwhile, aftershocks continue to spread panic among the population and hamper the work of emergency teams. Authorities warn that rescue operations could last for days, even weeks, while the true scale of the tragedy remains unclear.
