Aerial photo showing the extent of destruction after the Venezuelan earthquake
Aerial footage shows widespread damage as two magnitude 7 earthquakes hit Venezuela, leaving destruction across the affected region.
The death toll continues to rise after two devastating earthquakes in Venezuela as workers search for signs of life in the rubble for a third day on June 26.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 earthquakes occurred less than a minute apart, about 22 kilometers southeast of Umalé, Venezuela, just after 6 p.m. local time on June 24. Umalé is approximately 273 miles west of the capital, Caracas.
The immediate devastation ensued. Houses and buildings were destroyed, hospitals were damaged, and debris littered roads.
Officials said at least 235 people were confirmed dead and more than 4,300 injured, but the death toll is expected to rise.
Here’s what we know as of June 26th.
Rescue workers search for missing person
On June 26, rescue teams continued to search for survivors through the rubble of destroyed buildings throughout the night as international rescue teams arrived in the country to help. Venezuelan National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez said on June 25 that at least 200 people were trapped.
Resident Yamirez Jiménez told Reuters on June 25 that his 19-year-old son was trapped on the seventh floor of a building in La Guaira, one of the worst-hit areas.
“He’s under the board, but there’s no machinery to get him out,” she told the outlet.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States was among the countries planning to send rescue teams.
Two earthquakes occur within seconds
The first earthquake occurred at around 6:04 pm local time on June 24 and had a magnitude of 7.2. Approximately 39 seconds later, a magnitude 7.5 earthquake occurred. The second quake was considered the main shock, while the first was a foreshock, the USGS said. These earthquakes are considered doublets, defined as two earthquakes of the same magnitude that are close in time and location.
Venezuela is located in a seismically active zone where the Caribbean and South American plates meet. Although northern Venezuela has a history of damaging earthquakes, the area in the immediate vicinity of the June 24 quake has only experienced seven earthquakes of magnitude 6.0 or greater in the past 100 years, according to the USGS. Since 1900, five earthquakes of magnitude 7.0 or higher have occurred in large areas of northern Venezuela or near the coast.
The main shock on June 24 was the most powerful earthquake in the region’s history since 1900, when a magnitude 7.7 earthquake was observed near Caracas.
What is the latest death toll in Venezuela?
As of June 25, Venezuelan authorities put the official death toll at 235. That number is expected to rise as crews search the devastated area. Officials have not released total casualties, but the USGS said data predicts the number could be in the thousands.
Health Minister Carlos Alvarado said 235 confirmed deaths were recorded at medical centers.
Three people in Spain were confirmed dead in the earthquake, four were confirmed to have been trapped under rubble, and 99 people are missing.
Contributor: Thao Nguyen, USA TODAY. Reuters
