Race Against the Clock as Death Toll Climbs in Venezuela After Two Major Earthquakes
The death toll attributed to a pair of major earthquakes in Venezuela on Wednesday continues to rise as officials warn that the worst may be yet to come. Here is the latest on the search and recovery efforts happening right now in Venezuela.
Death Toll Climbs into the Hundreds in Venezuela
The fatality count in Venezuela is likely to climb significantly in the days ahead as search and rescue crews comb through the rubble left after back-to-back earthquakes. As of the late Thursday update by Health Minister Carlos Alvarado, at least 235 deaths have been blamed on the duo of quakes that rocked the South American country on Wednesday afternoon.
In addition to the rising death toll, Venezuela's health minister has also confirmed that at least 4,300 people have been injured. The initial quake registered at a magnitude 7.2 near San Felipe, the capital of Yaracuy state, at 6:04 pm ET. It was just 39 seconds later that a larger 7.5 magnitude event shook the region about 23 kilometers southeast of Yumare.
Local officials have said that the coastal state of La Guaira is the epicenter of the damage. This part of the country is home to Simón Bolívar International Airport, as well as one of the largest seaports to serve Venezuela. La Guaira has been declared a disaster zone. Included in the damage is the destruction of a waterfront hotel located in the city of Macuto.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the magnitude 7.5 earthquake was the most powerful to hit the impoverished nation in more than a century. You have to go back to October 29, 1900, to find the last time a quake of this degree struck Venezuela. Most recently, a magnitude 7.3 earthquake hit an area near Carupano on August 21, 2018.
Local officials have confirmed that thousands of people are still reported as missing. Many of these people are trapped beneath the rubble, prompting an urgent rescue effort as the clock ticks away. A lack of communication at the hands of the destroyed infrastructure has left Venezuelans living abroad desperately searching for answers about their loved ones.
Thousands of Venezuelans have been left with nowhere to go after their homes were destroyed. The hardest hit areas include the capital city of Caracas and the port city of La Guaira. Residents who still have homes standing camped out in parks overnight on Thursday in Caracas out of fear of further collapse due to aftershocks.
Nation's Most Populated Sees Life Come to a Halt
Life has been brought to a standstill across the impacted region. School has been suspended for at least a week. Many of the schools are now opening as either emergency shelters or donation collection centers.
It is nearly impossible to reach the region as Simón Bolívar International has been forced to close due to damage. Complicating the transportation problem has been the suspension of metro and railway services.
Most homes are dealing with weak internet service. The state-run internet provider said that internet, television, and telephone services will be free for at least another 24 hours. In addition, gas lines have been turned off to prevent leaks.
Caracas Mayor Carmen Meléndez said that at least 25 people have been confirmed dead in this large city. Authorities in Caracas are seeking donations from the local community. The most in-demand items are face masks and drinking water. Law enforcement officials are urging residents to remain calm.
The international community is lending a hand in the form of financial aid and the deployment of crews. The United Nations (UN) confirmed that it is heading up the deployment of urban search-and-rescue teams to the region.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told the media on Thursday that the U.S. is deploying elite search and rescue teams from Fairfax County, Virginia, and Los Angeles to aid in the recovery efforts. The U.S. has committed to providing $150 million in aid. It was also announced late Thursday that the U.S. Southern Command in Latin America and the Caribbean is “surging available assigned” forces to support the ongoing earthquake relief operations.
The natural disaster comes at a time when Venezuela is already in dire straits. The nation is dealing with political unrest along with a deepening financial crisis.
On special note has been the lifting of the nearly two-year ban on X in Venezuela. This is significant, as Venezuela generally has one of the most controlled media landscapes in the world. The lack of access and tight control by the government has made it more challenging for residents to get in touch with each other.
The partial lifting of the ban on the popular social media platform came after the UN's Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Venezuela pleaded with local authorities to “fully restore access to social networks and all media outlets” in an effort to facilitate better communication during the ongoing crisis.
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