Venezuela Earthquakes Kill 164 With More Feared Dead
Two earthquakes hit Venezuela killing at least 164 people. The quakes measured 7.2 and 7.5 in strength.
Nearly 1,000 others were injured. Hundreds more are still missing.
Authorities declared La Guaira a disaster zone. They called it a true tragedy.
The death toll is expected to reach thousands. Acting President Delcy Rodríguez declared a state of emergency.
She also closed Simón Bolívar International Airport due to earthquake damage. At least 30 aftershocks have struck since the two main quakes.
Rescue teams moved from other parts of Venezuela to the La Guaira area. In Caracas volunteers, medics and relatives of victims gathered in the Altamira area. They worked to rescue survivors from collapsed buildings.
Klear Note — Venezuela sits on a major fault line in South America. Earthquakes of this strength cause severe damage to buildings and infrastructure.
Key Terms 4
- La Guaira A coastal city in Venezuela hit hardest by the earthquakes
- aftershocks Smaller earthquakes that follow a large one
- state of emergency Government declaration allowing special powers to respond to disaster
- Caracas The capital city of Venezuela