A state of emergency has been declared across Venezuela following two powerful earthquakes that struck the country in quick succession, leaving a trail of destruction and prompting a large-scale humanitarian response.
The seismic events, which heavily impacted the capital city of Caracas as well as several surrounding regions, reportedly caused the collapse of multiple high-rise buildings and other structures. Rescue workers have since been deployed to affected communities as efforts intensify to locate and assist those trapped beneath the rubble.
In a national address to the Venezuelan people, Delcy Rodríguez announced a series of emergency measures aimed at responding to the crisis. These include the closure of schools for the remainder of the week and the activation of emergency protocols at both public and private health care facilities to accommodate the growing number of injured persons.
Rodríguez also expressed sympathy to families who have lost loved ones or been affected by the disaster. She urged citizens to cooperate with emergency responders and to immediately evacuate any building that may have sustained structural damage, warning residents not to return to affected properties until safety inspections have been completed by the relevant authorities.
Government officials say assessment teams have been dispatched across the country to evaluate damage to critical infrastructure, homes, businesses and public facilities as authorities work to determine the full scale of the disaster.
The earthquakes were reportedly felt beyond Venezuela’s borders, with tremors reaching parts of the Caribbean and northern regions of South America, including Guyana. The seismic activity sparked concern among residents who experienced the shaking.
Meanwhile, President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, extended Guyana’s condolences and support to the people of Venezuela during what he described as a difficult and tragic period. In a statement issued on Thursday, President Ali expressed sympathy to those who have suffered losses and reaffirmed Guyana’s willingness to assist its neighbouring country as recovery and relief efforts continue.
As rescue operations remain under way, emergency officials are continuing to assess casualties and damage while providing aid to affected communities. Authorities have urged residents to remain vigilant and follow all safety advisories, as aftershocks remain a possibility. The report was filed for LRTVS Newswatch by Delon Adams.
Watch the LRTVS Newswatch report
This story was reported and produced by the LRTVS Newswatch team. Watch the full video report above, and subscribe to our YouTube channel for daily news from Berbice and across Guyana.