Rescuers comb debris after Venezuela quakes

CARACAS — Rescuers searched through collapsed buildings to find survivors as international support poured in for disaster-hit Venezuela on Thursday after a pair of powerful earthquakes struck the South American country on Wednesday, killing at least 589 people and injuring 2,980.

The 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes hit central Venezuela less than a minute apart, according to the US Geological Survey, or USGS. The first one occurred at a depth of 20.3 kilometers, followed by the second at 10 km.

As of early Friday, the two quakes had triggered 214 aftershocks, Venezuelan National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez said. The government has declared disaster zones in several areas including La Guaira state amid continuing aftershocks.

The USGS issued a red alert after the quakes, warning of major casualties, extensive damage and severe economic losses. Early modeling from the USGS estimates that the final death toll could reach between 10,000 and 100,000, while economic losses could amount to between 2 percent and 10 percent of Venezuela's gross domestic product.

Rodriguez said the quakes had damaged at least 346 buildings, including eight hospitals, some of which had been evacuated. Rescue teams were still searching for survivors in collapsed buildings, while heavy machinery had begun arriving at disaster sites to support rescue operations.

International rescue teams from several countries had arrived in Venezuela to assist with disaster relief, he said, calling on the public to donate relief supplies at collection points across the country.

La Guaira, a coastal state north of Caracas, is one of the worst-hit areas.

Families posted missing person flyers with photos of loved ones while others shared handwritten lists of names as they searched.

In La Guaira, Cristian Carreno stared at his charred apartment building, tilting precariously to one side.

"I lost everything," he said. "There are people still inside, I imagine, that couldn't get out. It's incredibly devastating."

'True tragedy'

Acting Venezuelan President Delcy Rodriguez described the situation there as "a true tragedy", saying dozens of buildings had collapsed and the state had suffered serious infrastructure damage. The Simon Bolivar International Airport, which serves Caracas and is located in La Guaira, has been closed due to structural damage.

Local residents told Xinhua News Agency that several high-rise buildings near the port area in La Guaira had collapsed, while waves triggered by the quakes flooded parts of nearby roads. Rescue work there was made more difficult by darkness and low visibility.

As Venezuela grappled with the disaster, an outpouring of sympathy and offers of assistance came in from around the world.

The Chinese government and the Red Cross Society of China will provide emergency humanitarian aid to Venezuela after back-to-back quakes hit the country, and China stands ready to provide further support to Venezuela as the situation unfolds, the Chinese Foreign Ministry has said.

Other governments have also offered support.

The United States said it was deploying two warships, transport planes and helicopters and mobilizing $150 million in aid.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said he had asked the foreign ministry to assess the situation with Brazil's embassy in Caracas and consider possible assistance. Argentina expressed readiness to provide humanitarian support in coordination with relevant international organizations. The leaders of Mexico, Bolivia, Ecuador, Chile and Uruguay have voiced solidarity with Venezuela.

Turkiye said it will send a 67-strong team of search and rescue experts, medics and aid workers with two search dogs and three rescue vehicles.

Spain and France were sending dozens of specialists, and Germany promised six military transport planes. Switzerland mobilized 80 personnel, eight rescue dogs and 18 metric tons of equipment to be sent to Venezuela as soon as possible.

Delcy Rodriguez thanked the countries and organizations that had expressed solidarity with Venezuela, saying such support reflected the bonds of cooperation between Caracas and the international community.

With aftershocks continuing and rescue teams still combing through debris, officials warned that the number of casualties could rise as access to the worst-hit areas improves and damage assessments continue.

XINHUA-AGENCIES