Fears of thousands being killed after Venezuela was hit by the strongest earthquake in more than 125 years

Thousands of Venezuelans People are feared dead after two major earthquakes struck the country less than a minute apart on Wednesday evening.

the people hair The ground shook across the north of the country, including the capital, Caracas, where quakes hit outside the northwestern town of Yomari at around 6pm locally. The second shock, with a magnitude of 7.5, was the largest to hit the country since 1900.

So far, 164 people have been confirmed dead and more than 971 injured, according to interim President Delcy Rodriguez, who was sworn in after the United States arrested former authoritarian President Nicolas Maduro in January.

The US Geological Survey warned of eventual death He could exceed 10000,

Based on modeling and previous earthquakes. More than 10,000 people across the country were reported missing by their families in one day Website Designed for missing persons.

Rodriguez declared a state of emergency in a nationally televised address later Wednesday night. She added: “The first message to our people is to remain united to save lives,” and asked all doctors, nurses and health workers to go to their workplaces to care for the injured. “Then we will address what needs to be done about restoring infrastructure and recovering materials.”

Some Venezuelans spent the night in the streets, fearing aftershocks. Rodriguez called on citizens whose homes were damaged to evacuate their homes as buildings collapsed during and after the tremors. The country’s largest airport in Maiquetía was closed due to severe damage.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio He said Early Thursday morning, the US government announced that it would immediately deploy search and rescue teams, medical resources and humanitarian aid to Venezuela, after President Donald Trump pledged support in… Truth is a social function. “We will be there for our new and great friends,” Trump wrote.

More to follow…