As a result of two strong earthquakes that occurred on Wednesday in Venezuela, at least 1430 people died, announced Jorge Rodríguez, chairman of the National Assembly of the country. 3,360 people were injured, writes BBC.
Photo: Ariana Cubillos / AP
According to UN estimates, more than 50,000 people are still missing.
Rodríguez called the earthquakes "the most catastrophic event Venezuela has experienced in the last 123 years." According to him, 3,142 families are currently in temporary shelters.
He clarified that after the two earthquakes on Wednesday, 430 aftershocks occurred.
Rodríguez urged people to stay home and avoid traveling to La Guaira state — the most affected region, which, according to him, experienced "immense destruction."
According to medical reports, hospitals are operating at their full capacity.
Doctors told the BBC that even before the earthquake, Venezuela's healthcare system was experiencing an acute shortage of medicines and medical supplies.
On Friday, the country's acting president, Delcy Rodríguez, ordered control over La Guaira state to be transferred to the military for the coordination of rescue efforts.
The UN reported that over a thousand international specialists have already been involved in the search and rescue operation, including canine units with search dogs.
UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher told BBC Radio: "I want the people of Venezuela to know: help is on its way."
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