Newsman: Two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela on Wednesday evening killing at least 920 people until and more than 3,300 were injured according to officials said on Friday. According to the EFE news agency, at least 18 foreign nationals were among those who were killed in the quakes. The victims reportedly included nine people from Portugal, three from Spain, two from Brazil, two from China and two from Chile.
The death toll has risen to 920 and more than 3,300 people are injured, according to Jorge Rodriguez, president of the National Assembly of Venezuela.
More than 50,000 people are listed on the website set up to track missing individuals.
The two quakes — a 7.2 magnitude one followed just seconds later by a 7.5 — struck the coast of Venezuela, knocking down buildings in Caracas, the capital, and sending residents racing into the street.
Responders are undertaking “intensive rescue operations” on Thursday, searching for people thought to be under the rubble, acting President Delcy Rodriguez said.
Emergency response teams from Venezuelan and other countries were working early on Saturday, combing the rubble for survivors after two powerful earthquakes struck the capital and nearby cities on Wednesday evening. Search for quake’s survivors continues, approaches 72 hours, acting president says.
Acting President Delcy Rodriguiz said in an update at 1 a.m. local time that electric services had been restored to about 60% of what they had been prior to the quakes.
More than 14,000 officials were working in La Guaira, a hard-hit area north of Caracas, the capital, Rodriguiz said. Access to that area remained restricted as military and other officials searched the wreckage, she said.
A “saturation” of food and water had been surging into areas where supplies were needed, she added.
Venezuelan President Delcy Rodriguez said on social media Friday that President Donald Trump and Sec. of State Marco Rubio have reached out in support following the deadly earthquakes.
“I received a call from President Donald Trump and the Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, who reaffirmed the United States Government’s support during this difficult time for Venezuela,” Rodriguez said.
At least 30 search teams from various countries were searching the rubble in Venezuela on Friday, according to the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, which said it had organized at least 17 teams.
The foreign teams included more than 1,600 personnel and more than 100 dogs, the agency said.
“After an earthquake, the first 72 hours are critical to saving lives,” the agency said on Friday, adding that in the search for survivors “every second matters.”
