By Zoila Palma: The death toll from two powerful earthquakes that struck Venezuela’s northern coastal region last month has risen above 5,000, with authorities reporting that 5,069 people have died as rescue teams continue searching through collapsed structures and clearing debris.
The earthquakes, which struck on June 24, triggered widespread destruction and have been described by Interim President Delcy Rodríguez as the “most brutal natural catastrophe” in the country’s history, Euronews reports.
The 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes struck just 39 seconds apart, followed by more than 1,300 aftershocks.
Venezuela’s government reported that at least 856 buildings were damaged, including 190 that completely collapsed, while hundreds of other structures, including bridges and roads, were also affected. The coastal state of La Guaira was identified as the hardest-hit area, with thousands of emergency workers and international rescue teams joining efforts to locate survivors.
More than 20,000 people have been displaced by the disaster and are now living in temporary shelters, where aid organizations have warned of challenges including limited access to clean drinking water and adequate sanitation.
The conditions have raised concerns about possible disease outbreaks as communities continue to recover from the destruction.
The post International News: Venezuela Earthquake death toll surpasses 5,000 as recovery efforts continue appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Zoila Palma: The death toll from two powerful earthquakes that struck Venezuela’s northern coastal region last month has risen above 5,000, with authorities reporting that 5,069 people have died as rescue teams continue searching through collapsed structures and clearing debris. The earthquakes, which struck on June 24, triggered widespread destruction and have been described
The post International News: Venezuela Earthquake death toll surpasses 5,000 as recovery efforts continue appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
