Kathmandu. At least 235 people have been killed and more than 4,300 injured after two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela.
Venezuelan Health Minister Carika Alvarado said most of the injured were in normal condition, but many of the seriously injured had to undergo surgery. She said 235 people were brought to the hospital dead.
The quake caused extensive damage in the capital Caracas, La Guaira, Caraballeda and Vargas. Thousands of buildings have collapsed and roads, bridges and other infrastructure have been badly damaged. Meanwhile, relief and rescue operations have been intensified in the affected areas. Hundreds of local volunteers are distributing water, food, medicines, clothing and essentials. Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado’s party also said it had mobilised volunteers to raise money.
The U.S. has deployed C-17 Globemaster and C-130 Hercules military transport aircraft through its Southern Command to support humanitarian efforts. Relief materials, rescue equipment and necessary human resources are being airlifted to the affected areas. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the United Nations was coordinating with the Venezuelan government to provide emergency relief and humanitarian assistance.
Meanwhile, France sent a special team of doctors, rescue workers, search dogs and experts at the direction of President Emmanuel Macron. The team has been mobilized through the European Union’s Civil Protection Mechanism. Switzerland has sent a Swiss rescue team with 80 specialists, eight search dogs and about 18 tons of rescue supplies to Caracas. The team will coordinate with the local bodies to assist in the search and rescue of those trapped under the debris. Thousands of people are still feared missing in the affected areas as the international community continues to mount relief, rescue and humanitarian assistance. Rescuers are continuing to clear the debris.
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