Caracas, July 1: Venezuelan National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez said that the death toll from the two powerful earthquakes that recently struck the country has risen to 1,943, with more than 10,000 injured.
The government has declared a state of emergency in the worst-affected regions and has mobilised the armed forces to assist in relief and rehabilitation efforts. Shelters have been set up for displaced families, and medical teams are providing care to the injured, Xinhua news agency reported.
A fresh 4.2-magnitude earthquake hit near the Venezuelan cities of Caracas and La Guaira on Monday morning, causing alarm among local residents who were seen leaving buildings for open spaces, just days after two powerful tremors devastated the region.
According to a report by the official Venezuelan Foundation for Seismological Research, the tremor’s epicentre in the Caribbean Sea was located just 10 km off the coast of La Guaira state, the region worst hit by the 7.2- and 7.5-magnitude earthquakes that occurred on Wednesday. The latest aftershock struck at approximately 9:30 am local time, sending shockwaves through the already jittery population. (IANS)
