Source The Hindu
CARACAS, Venezuela — The official death toll from the catastrophic twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela on Wednesday has more than doubled, reaching 589 as of Friday morning. Authorities warn that the number is expected to rise sharply as search-and-rescue teams desperately claw through the debris of flattened high-rises and homes.
Acting President Delcy Rodríguez announced the grim update during a televised address alongside military and civilian leadership, confirming that 2,980 injuries have been officially logged so far.
“Regrettably, we now have 589 people who died,” Rodríguez said. “We are going to rescue the people who are trapped. We are working tirelessly on this task.”
A “One-Two Punch” of Destruction
The disaster unfolded Wednesday evening when two powerful, shallow earthquakes—measuring magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5—struck within just 39 seconds of each other. Centered near Morón on the Caribbean coast, about 170 kilometers (105 miles) west of the capital, the rapid succession created a violent “one-two punch” effect that amplified the structural devastation.
The coastal state of La Guaira has been hit hardest, prompting the government to declare it a disaster zone and deploy military forces to coordinate the emergency response, clear blocked roads, and distribute food and water. Initial reports from the United Nations indicate that at least 100 large structures, including multi-story apartment complexes, have completely collapsed in La Guaira alone.
In Caracas, hundreds of traumatized residents spent a second consecutive night huddled in public squares, parks, and parking lots, terrified to return to buildings that may have suffered invisible structural damage.
Thousands Unaccounted For
While the government focuses on recorded hospital numbers, an independent tracking website widely shared by civil society and opposition leaders paints an even more staggering picture, listing more than 49,500 people as unaccounted for.
The U.S. Geological Survey’s PAGER system has similarly predicted a high probability that the ultimate death toll could eventually reach well into the thousands due to the density of the affected areas and the shallow depth of the tremors.
The tragedy has also taken an international toll. Foreign ministries have confirmed the deaths of nine Portuguese nationals, three Spanish citizens, and two Chinese nationals, with dozens of other expatriates still missing.
Global Aid Mobilizes
The unfolding catastrophe has triggered a massive international humanitarian response. The United Nations reported Friday that specialized search-and-rescue teams from at least 17 countries are actively scrambling to deploy to the region.
“What we are seeing right now is an international mobilization at its very best,” said UN humanitarian spokesman Jens Laerke in Geneva. “The entire humanitarian system is moving very fast, and at scale.”
India has dispatched two Air Force C-17 aircraft carrying a 41-person military medical team, a field hospital, and 35 tons of emergency medical supplies.
China’s President Xi Jinping expressed deep condolences and offered immediate disaster relief and structural reconstruction assistance.
Regional Neighbors, including Ecuadorean urban search-and-rescue (USAR) firefighters, have already landed or are en route to join local first responders who have been working non-stop using bare hands, flashlights, and minimal heavy machinery.
Rescue efforts remain severely hampered by widespread power outages, severed communication lines, and the temporary closure of Venezuela’s main airport in La Guaira due to runway and terminal damage.
