Venezuelans search for survivors as death toll from twin earthquakes rises to 235

Lead

Rescuers in Venezuela are racing against time to find survivors beneath the rubble of collapsed buildings after two powerful earthquakes struck near the capital on Wednesday, killing at least 235 people and injuring around 4,300, according to the latest official figures. The quakes, measured by the US Geological Survey at magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5, hit northern Venezuela within less than a minute of each other, causing catastrophic damage in the coastal state of La Guaira and affecting areas including Caracas, Trujillo, Yaracuy, Carabobo, Aragua and Miranda.

Coverage Comparison

Reports on the disaster vary in their casualty figures, reflecting the rapidly evolving situation on the ground. The BBC initially reported at least 188 people killed and over 1,500 injured, while Buenos Aires Times cited 188 deaths and 1,520 injuries. Dawn later reported the death toll had risen to 235, with around 4,300 injured, citing Health Minister Carlos Alvarado. The discrepancy highlights the challenges of confirming numbers during an ongoing emergency.

All sources agree on the magnitude of the earthquakes and the severity of the destruction, particularly in La Guaira. The Buenos Aires Times noted that the international airport in La Guaira was closed due to damage, and that powerful aftershocks were still being felt. The BBC reported that the US Geological Survey indicated both quakes were shallow, with the first centred 20.3 km below the surface and the second at a depth of 10 km, making destruction more severe.

Key Claims

• Two earthquakes of magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5 struck Venezuela near the capital on Wednesday, as reported by the BBC, Buenos Aires Times, and Dawn, citing the US Geological Survey.
• The death toll has risen to at least 235, with around 4,300 injured, according to Health Minister Carlos Alvarado, as reported by Dawn. Earlier figures of 188 deaths and over 1,500 injuries were cited by the BBC and Buenos Aires Times.
• The UN estimates that around 50,000 people are missing, a figure reported by the BBC.
• Rescue efforts are underway with international support, including teams from Mexico, Spain, the US, and the UK, as reported by the BBC. The US has pledged $150 million in aid, according to the BBC and Dawn.
• The earthquakes caused catastrophic damage in La Guaira, where residents are searching for loved ones in the rubble, as described in BBC reports.
• Powerful aftershocks continued to be felt on Thursday, as reported by Buenos Aires Times and Dawn.

Perspectives

The Venezuelan government, through interim President Delcy Rodríguez, declared a state of emergency and a “disaster zone” in La Guaira, as reported by Dawn and the BBC. National Assembly president Jorge Rodríguez confirmed the rising death toll, and Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello reported building damage in the capital and other states.

Residents in the affected areas describe a desperate situation. In La Guaira, residents used bare hands and shovels to search through rubble, with some using drones to look for survivors or the deceased, according to BBC reporting. Personal accounts, such as that of medical student Juan Ortiz, who told the BBC that a close friend was confirmed dead and another was believed to be under the rubble, highlight the human toll.

Health officials, including Health Minister Carlos Alvarado, provided casualty figures, while a doctor at Domingo Luciani Hospital reported children arriving alone in ambulances after being pulled from the rubble, as cited by Dawn.

International response has been swift, with Argentina offering humanitarian aid despite political differences, as reported by Buenos Aires Times, and the US pledging substantial financial assistance. The UN’s estimation of 50,000 missing underscores the scale of the crisis, as noted by the BBC.