188 dead, 1520 injured as quakes rock Venezuela

At least 188 people were killed and 1520 others injured in devastating earthquakes in Venezuela on Wednesday (local time), National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez said Thursday, reported Xinhua.

Speaking on Venezuelan state television, Rodriguez said that the country is racing against time to save the injured and the trapped, adding that the figures will be updated in the coming hours. About 200 people were trapped under rubble and 157 others remained missing, he said.

Venezuela had recorded 138 aftershocks as of Thursday noon, said Rodriguez. Because of continuing aftershocks, the Venezuelan government declared several areas, including La Guaira state, disaster zones.

At least 346 buildings were damaged, including eight hospitals, some of which had been evacuated, he said.

Rodriguez said international rescue teams from several countries had arrived in Venezuela to help with relief operations. He also called on the public to donate emergency supplies at collection points across the country.

Rescue workers were still searching for survivors in collapsed buildings, while heavy machinery had begun arriving at disaster sites as rescue operations continued.

Because of continuing aftershocks, many Venezuelans began spending the night in the streets or inside cars early Thursday.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, a magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck near Montalban, Venezuela, at around 2200 GMT on June 24. Less than a minute later, a magnitude 7.5 earthquake hit the same area. Both earthquakes occurred at a depth of 10 kilometers. The magnitude of the first earthquake was later revised to 7.2.