The number of victims of the devastating earthquakes in Venezuela has risen to at least 235, thousands are injured. The country is facing one of the worst disasters in the last hundred years.
The death toll from two powerful earthquakes in Venezuela has risen to at least 235, the country’s health ministry said Thursday evening local time. More than 4,300 other people were injured, writes TASR based on reports from AFP and CNN.
“As of 7 p.m. today, we have treated more than 4,300 injured people and received approximately 235 patients who arrived without vital signs or died on arrival at our medical facilities,” said Venezuelan Health Minister Carlos Alvarado.
Strong earthquakes in Venezuela
The successive magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 earthquakes, with an epicenter about 160 kilometers west of the capital Caracas, 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.
Humanitarian aid from the USA
“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.
