- Earthquakes with a magnitude of 7.2 and 7.5 were among the strongest in history.
- The epicenter of the earthquake was located approximately 160 kilometers west of Caracas, Venezuela.
- The United States is sending $150 million in aid.
Death toll from two powerful earthquakes in Venezuela rises to at least 235 the local Ministry of Health said on Thursday evening local time. Over 4,300 other people were injured, writes TASR based on reports from AFP and CNN.
“As of 7:00 p.m. today, we have treated more than 4,300 injured people … and we have received approximately 235 patients who arrived without vital signs or died on arrival at our medical facilities,” said Venezuelan Health Minister Carlos Alvarado.
Consecutive earthquakes with a magnitude of 7.2 and 7.5 with the epicenter approximately 160 kilometers west of the metropolis of Caracas they were among the strongest in Venezuela in more than a hundred years.
The US government pledged $150 million in humanitarian aid to Venezuela on Thursday. The US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) later announced that it was sending transport aircraft and two warships to the area to assist with logistics.
“These forces will provide specialized mobility services and support to US government employees, search and rescue teams and US interagency partners to assess damage, locate the injured and provide critical, life-saving assistance,” the command wrote on social media.
