Powerful back-to-back earthquakes struck Venezuela on Wednesday evening, killing at least 32 people and injuring at least 700, the nation’s acting president said, as communities across the South American country sustained damage. Acting Venezuelan President Delcy Rodríguez warned the toll was expected to rise as rescuers search collapsed buildings and emergency crews reach devastated areas hit by 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes that struck shortly after 6 p.m. local time (1 a.m. Thursday Israel time). The US Geological Survey, using predictive modeling, said the death toll would most likely run into the thousands, with a substantial probability of exceeding 10,000.
In response to the disaster, Israel’s Foreign Ministry said it is making “immediate preparations” for the possible deployment of an aid delegation. The ministry said it was “conducting a situational assessment with the relevant authorities in Israel and is examining possible avenues for assistance.” There is currently no knowledge of any hurt or missing Israelis in the country, The Times of Israel understands.
Israel’s ZAKA emergency response organization said earlier that it is preparing teams to possibly be sent to help local authorities rescue people from the rubble, adding that it hasn’t received information regarding casualties among the country’s small Jewish community. Fellow rescue organization IsraAid also said it was “urgently responding” to the unfolding disaster. Rodríguez declared a state of emergency in an address to the nation late Wednesday and said the quakes caused damage in several states. The casualty figures released early Thursday excluded the state of La Guaira, which Rodríguez described as a “disaster zone” and the area hardest hit. (Read More)
