Rescue workers in Venezuela race to free hundreds feared trapped in wake of double earthquakes

A magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck about 160 kilometres west of Caracas on Wednesday evening. Less than ‌a minute later, it was followed by a magnitude 7.5 tremor, the strongest since 1900, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

The earthquakes struck a country already weakened by years of economic turmoil that has left much of its infrastructure fragile. Rescue efforts were further complicated as multiple aftershocks rattled the capital and surrounding coastal areas.

• Venezuela earthquake before-and-after photos show ‘catastrophic’ destruction

Health Minister Carlos Alvarado said Thursday evening that medical centres had received at least 235 bodies, although the death toll was expected to rise. He said about 4,300 people had been injured.

Jorge Rodriguez, head of Venezuela’s National Assembly and brother of interim President Delcy Rodriguez, said earlier Thursday that at least 200 people were trapped and about 250 buildings had been damaged or destroyed.

At least eight ​hospitals, the headquarters of the Venezuelan Red Cross and the French Embassy were among the buildings reported to have been badly damaged.

‘Disaster zone’

Interior ​Minister Diosdado Cabello said about 70,000 families in La Guaira state had been affected. The coastal state, which adjoins Caracas and is home to the capital’s main airport, was among the hardest-hit areas.

“It has become a disaster zone,” interim President Rodriguez said. He added that the government was working with private companies to bring in heavy equipment and accelerate rescue efforts.

Electricity remained unavailable ​in parts of the state, while the Caracas airport was closed after sustaining damage.

Emergency workers and volunteers searched ⁠through collapsed buildings into the night. But in some areas, ⁠residents said official help had been slow to arrive.

Urgent search for trapped survivors after Venezuelan earthquakes 

Thousands of people are still missing after twin earthquakes hit Venezuela. Rescuers are working to find trapped survivors under the rubble, but there are fears deaths could climb to the tens of thousands.

Canada among countries pledging help

Predictive modelling by the U.S. Geological Survey indicated that the death toll was likely to rise into the thousands, with a substantial probability that it could exceed 10,000.

A website created to track missing people and shared by opposition leaders listed more than 46,000 people as unaccounted for shortly after 7 p.m. ET. Reuters could not independently verify the ⁠reports.

Countries around the world pledged support, including some whose government opposed Venezuela’s leadership. The country has endured decades of international isolation amid political repression, economic collapse and diplomatic pressure.

Canada said it would provide an initial $5 million in humanitarian aid to support life-saving assistance, including emergency food, water and health care.

Rodriguez said international rescue teams were expected to arrive soon and thanked leaders ⁠including U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.