La Guaira reels after deadly earthquakes hit Venezuela
At least 188 people have been killed and 1,500 injured, Al Jazeera reported, with La Guaira described as the hardest-hit region.
By Lucas Ferreira · Science & Environment Writer
2 min read
Two powerful earthquakes have killed at least 188 people and injured 1,500 in Venezuela, Al Jazeera reported. The hardest-hit area is La Guaira, where collapsed buildings have left families searching for missing relatives and residents say help has not arrived fast enough.
Venezuela has declared a state of emergency after the quakes, according to Al Jazeera. The measure comes as rescuers and residents confront extensive destruction in La Guaira, which Al Jazeera described as devastated by the disaster.
Families in the region are looking for loved ones believed to be trapped under fallen structures, Al Jazeera reported. The report said residents have complained that rescue operations are moving too slowly and that available supplies and personnel are not enough for the scale of the damage.
USGS warns of severe impact
The US Geological Survey said mass casualties were likely and that damage would be extensive, according to Al Jazeera. Its assessment matches the early reports from La Guaira, where the destruction has overwhelmed local residents trying to find survivors.
Al Jazeera reported that La Guaira was left in near-total devastation after the two earthquakes. The scale of the destruction has made the region the focus of the emergency response, with collapsed buildings creating urgent search-and-rescue needs.
The reported death toll of at least 188 remains an early figure from Al Jazeera’s coverage. The number of injured stood at 1,500, with the impact centered on areas hit by the two powerful quakes.
Residents cited by Al Jazeera said resources were insufficient for the rescue effort. Their accounts point to shortages at a time when families are still trying to reach people trapped beneath debris.
The emergency declaration gives Venezuelan authorities a formal basis to respond to the disaster, Al Jazeera reported. The immediate challenge remains La Guaira, where residents are pressing for faster rescue work as the casualty count rises.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.