At Least 235 Dead, About 4,300 Injured in Venezuela Earthquake

[Financial News] At least 235 people were killed and about 4,300 were injured in Venezuela after two powerful earthquakes of magnitude 7 or higher struck consecutively on the 24th local time.
According to foreign media outlets, including the Associated Press (AP), Venezuelan Health Minister Carlos Alvarado said in an interview with state broadcaster on the 25th that this was the latest tally. He said, "Unfortunately, about 235 people either had already died or arrived at medical facilities with no vital signs." The previous day's count stood at 188 dead and about 1,520 injured.
According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), a magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck around 6:04 p.m. on the 24th in the western part of Moron, a Caribbean coastal city 168 kilometers west of the capital, Caracas. The quake occurred at a depth of 21.9 kilometers underground. Just 39 seconds later, a magnitude 7.5 earthquake followed at a depth of 10 kilometers, about 45 kilometers southwest of the first epicenter.
The day was Battle of Carabobo Day, a public holiday in Venezuela, and many residents were at home when the earthquakes hit. The local government declared a national emergency, saying that about 20 aftershocks were observed that same day.
Alvarado did not mention the number of people buried or missing. A website set up locally to track missing persons listed more than 46,000 people as missing. On the 24th, the USGS assessed that the probability of the death toll reaching between 10,000 and 100,000 was the highest, at about 30%. In a statement released on the 25th, the USGS estimated that Venezuela's economic damage from the earthquake would amount to 1% to 7% of GDP.

Neighboring countries quickly moved to provide rescue assistance. The U.S. Department of State said on the 25th, "The United States is providing Venezuela with immediate search and rescue support, airlift assistance, on-the-ground coordination support, and a total of $150 million in financial aid." It also said U.S. military resources would be provided through SOUTHCOM. SpaceX said it would offer its Starlink satellite internet service free of charge to users in Venezuela until the 25th of next month to help affected areas.
Countries in Latin America also acted swiftly. Mexico said it had first dispatched rescue and medical personnel to Venezuela and would additionally send 250 troops, five rescue dogs, four aircraft, one drone, as well as rescue equipment and medical supplies. Cuba also immediately sent medical staff. In addition, El Salvador announced it would send 300 rescue workers and 50 tons of medical and relief supplies, Colombia said it would provide about 60 search personnel and 12 tons of equipment, and Ecuador pledged 46 personnel and 6 tons of equipment.
China, a key ally of Venezuela, said in a statement by Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Zhaokun that it "expresses sincere condolences to the Venezuelan government and the affected residents" and that "China is willing to provide assistance in an appropriate manner according to need." Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also said he "wishes the injured a speedy recovery and is ready to provide all possible support." European countries including France, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Spain also promised rescue equipment and other support.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is also reportedly discussing a plan for the Venezuelan government to first withdraw $200 million from its $4.5 billion special drawing rights (SDR) allocation and use it as a recovery budget. The World Bank (WB) also said it could "coordinate disaster response with international partners and provide technical assistance needed for damage assessment and recovery planning."
 

pjw@fnnews.com Park Jong-won Reporter