The situation continues to be shocking. As the authorities have been able to confirm, the death toll from the earthquakes in Venezuela has risen to 235, while the injured have increased to 4,300.
The two powerful earthquakes of 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude have especially shaken the state of La Guaira, declared a “natural disaster zone” by the president in charge of the country, Delcy Rodríguez.
Different videos continue to arrive of how the earthquake in Venezuela was experienced. In this case, in the hardest hit area, where they are trying to find the hundreds of people missing in the rubble.
The aerial view of the tragedy
Shocking aerial images captured from a helicopter show the enormous devastation caused by the two powerful earthquakes that shook the north of the country. The video offers a shocking perspective of completely collapsed buildings, streets covered in rubble and entire neighborhoods severely damaged, especially in the state of La Guaira.
The images broadcast from the air allow us to appreciate the magnitude of the disaster. Dozens of residential buildings have completely collapsed, numerous hospitals, schools and public infrastructure have serious structural damage and large areas remain without electricity or drinking water. The Maiquetía international airport suffered significant damage and public transportation was suspended during the first hours of the emergency.
The earthquakes, of magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5, occurred just 39 seconds apart, a phenomenon known as a seismic doublet, unusual and especially destructive, since the second earthquake hit when numerous structures had already been weakened by the first.
After the double earthquake, more than twenty aftershocks have been recorded, keeping the population on alert and making rescue efforts difficult.
According to the official balance sheet updated this Friday, the tragedy leaves at least 235 dead and more than 4,300 injured, although authorities recognize that the number could continue to increase as search operations advance in the rubble.
More than 200 people have been rescued alive, while thousands of emergency personnel, military personnel and volunteers continue to work tirelessly to locate the missing.
Between 10,000 and 100,000 fatalities
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) classified the episode as a seismic event of great severity and issued its highest level of alert due to the potential humanitarian and economic impact. During yesterday morning, they issued a statement in which they warned that the number of victims could be between 10,000 and 100,000.
Experts explain that Venezuela is located in an area of high tectonic activity due to the interaction between the Caribbean plate and the South American plate, which makes the north of the country one of the regions with the highest seismic risk on the continent.
Given the seriousness of the situation, the Venezuelan Government yesterday declared a state of emergency, requesting international help. Various countries, including Spain, and humanitarian organizations, have already mobilized rescue teams, field hospitals and tons of aid to assist the thousands of victims. Meanwhile, emergency crews continue to remove tons of debris in the hope of finding more survivors, in an operation that could last several days due to the magnitude of the destruction.
