The death toll from the two Venezuelan earthquakes rises to 1,450 and there is a race to find survivors
Hopes of finding survivors are diminishing more than 72 hours after the The two devastating earthquakes that struck Venezuela They claimed the lives of 1,450 people according to a new official toll, while rescue teams continue to work tirelessly searching for life among the rubble.
He announced President of the Venezuelan National Assembly Jorge Rodriguez said that the death toll from the earthquake rose from 1,430 to 1,450 people, noting that 774 buildings were damaged, including 189 buildings that completely collapsed.
The most horrific natural disaster
He said "The death toll reached 1,450 people, including men and women, who lost their lives in the most horrific natural disaster our country has ever witnessed, and the number of damaged or collapsed buildings reached 774, of which 189 collapsed completely."
Tens of thousands are still missing, after the two earthquakes that struck the north of the country caused massive destruction, especially in La Guaira, which is one of the most affected areas, while residents criticize the government’s slow response in rescue operations.
A massive economic crisis
This country is already suffering from a massive economic crisis as well as political unrest that has become more severe since the United States overthrew President Nicolas Maduro.
The first 72 hours after the disaster are crucial for finding survivors, as searches then turn into recovering bodies.
A Salvadoran paramedic in Playa Grande in La Guaira, a coastal area adjacent to the capital, Caracas, said: "They are generally lifeless bodies that we recover, but with God’s help, we sometimes find living survivors"
Boy Rescue
A boy was miraculously rescued alive from under the rubble in Caraballeda, north of Caracas, three days after the earthquakes, which had a magnitude of 7.2 and 7.5, according to acting President Delcy Rodriguez.
She said. "Every life is a source of hope for Venezuela"She accompanied her statement with a video clip of the rescue operation, while thanking the countries that came to provide assistance.
She explained that 24 countries sent 521 tons of supplies, 86 rescue units equipped with dogs trained to search for stranded people, and more than 2,700 rescue personnel.
The Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher expected that the death toll is likely to rise, especially since 50 A thousand people are still missing.
French President Emmanuel Macron wrote in a post on X "Our Civil Security rescuers arrived in Venezuela to assist in emergency operations"
Damages caused
The damage resulting from the two earthquakes was estimated at about seven billion dollars, equivalent to about 6% of Venezuela’s gross domestic product, according to what the United Nations Development Program reported on Saturday.
Among the victims were at least 28 people of Portuguese nationality or origin, seven Chinese, six Spaniards, two Brazilians, a Chilean, a Venezuelan of Italian origin, and a Jordanian citizen.
- For more: Follow Khaleejion 24 Arabic, Khaleejion 24 English, Khaleejion 24 Live, and for social media follow us on Facebook and Twitter
