By Raphael John-Lall
The death toll from Wednesday’s devastating earthquakes in Venezuela has climbed to 920, according to an update provided at 1.30 pm on Friday by President of the National Assembly, Jorge Rodríguez.
Rodríguez said 3,360 people have been injured and 3,007 others affected by the disaster.
Two earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude, struck Venezuela a minute apart on Wednesday night. The second quake was the strongest to hit the country since 1900.
The disaster caused widespread destruction to buildings, schools and hospitals.
Earlier on Friday, acting President Delcy Rodríguez reported that authorities had recorded 214 aftershocks across the country since the initial earthquakes.
She also announced the immediate militarisation of the state of La Guaira as a security measure aimed at maintaining public order and protecting residents’ property.
Delcy Rodríguez praised the efforts of citizens and rescue workers involved in the response and thanked the thousands of volunteers and emergency personnel who remain deployed in affected areas, removing debris and searching for survivors.
The United States Geological Survey reported on Thursday that Venezuela could suffer economic losses equivalent to seven per cent of its Gross Domestic Product as a result of the disaster.
The Government of Trinidad and Tobago, along with several countries around the world, has expressed solidarity with Venezuela and offered financial and other forms of assistance.
