188 Dead, 1,500 Injured in Venezuela Earthquake Crisis

Two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela late Wednesday, resulting in at least 188 fatalities and injuring around 1,500 individuals. The earthquakes caused significant destruction across the northern region, particularly affecting Caracas and the coastal state of La Guaira, where dozens of buildings collapsed.

Venezuelan authorities reported that approximately 200 people remain trapped beneath the rubble. Delcy Rodríguez, the acting president, described the situation as a tragedy and stated that emergency responders are engaged in intensive rescue efforts.

The earthquakes disrupted critical infrastructure, leading to power outages and burst water pipes, with many communities in Caracas remaining without electricity. The Universidad Central de Venezuela clinic reported a 10-year-old boy, Efraín Lucena, was rescued from a collapsed building in La Guaira but sustained severe injuries.

Rescue operations are complicated by Venezuela's long-standing infrastructure issues, including unreliable electricity and limited healthcare resources. International assistance has begun to mobilize, with support expected from several countries.