CARACAS, Venezuela: At least 32 people have been killed and more than 700 injured in a powerful earthquake in Venezuela, said Venezuelan Acting President, Delcy Rodriguez, on Thurday, reported Sputnik/RIA Novosti.
“At the moment, we have data on 32 deaths, not counting the figures that the state of La Guaira can provide, and more than 700 victims admitted to the emergency departments of public hospitals and private medical centres,” Rodriguez said in an address to citizens, as broadcast by VTV.
The state of La Guaira is the most affected region, the acting president added.
Sputnik/RIA Novosti also reported United States (US) Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, on Thursday, as saying that the US is sending rescuers, doctors and humanitarian aid to Venezuela at the direction of President Donald Trump after the powerful earthquakes.
“The US extends our deepest condolences to the people of Venezuela following the devastating earthquakes. Our hearts are with all those who have lost loved ones, those injured, and the courageous rescue workers working tirelessly in the aftermath.
“America stands with the Venezuelan people during this difficult time, and at the direction of President Trump, the State Department is immediately deploying search and rescue teams, medical resources, and humanitarian assistance to Venezuela,” Rubio wrote on the social media platform X.
Meanwhile, Rodriguez said that a fund would be created to rebuild the country after the earthquake, with the participation of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and USD200 million (RM828 million) allocated, reported Sputnik/RIA Novosti.
“I want to announce the creation of an initial USD200 million fund using the resources we have at the IMF to rebuild the infrastructure,” Rodriguez said, as broadcast by the VTV television channel.
Two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela on Wednesday. According to the US Geological Survey, the first measured magnitude 7.2 and the second 7.5.
The quakes occurred 16 kilometres from Moron and 24 kilometres from San Felipe.
A RIA Novosti correspondent reported damage and fatalities in Caracas. – BERNAMA-SPUTNIK/RIA NOVOSTI
