Rescuers Continue Search as Venezuela Earthquake Death Toll Tops 1,400
4 verified5 unconfirmed2 contested
Rescue operations entered their fourth day on Sunday after two powerful earthquakes struck northern Venezuela last Wednesday. Authorities reported that more than 1,400 people had been killed and more than 3,100 injured in the twin quakes. The coastal state of La Guaira was the hardest hit area. The earthquakes registered magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5. Acting President Delcy Rodríguez said search and rescue efforts would not be suspended, even as time for finding survivors diminishes. International rescue teams have arrived to assist local efforts, with families and volunteers continuing to dig through rubble for missing loved ones.
What’s verified
Two earthquakes of magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5 struck northern Venezuela.
More than 1,400 people were killed and more than 3,100 were injured.
The hardest hit area is the coastal state of La Guaira.
Acting President Delcy Rodríguez stated that search and rescue operations would continue.
Where accounts differ
Death toll figures differ slightly: one source reports exactly 1,450 dead, while another reports "more than 1,400" dead.
Injury figures differ: one source reports "more than 3,100" wounded, while another reports "some 3,150" injured.
Not yet confirmed
A single source reports that three American citizens were killed in the earthquakes.
A single source reports that the wife and two children of Argentine soccer player Lucas Trejo, who plays for a Venezuelan team, were killed.
Other details reported by only one source include: criticism of the government's response, more than 770 buildings collapsed, 50,000 people listed as missing on a volunteer database, 14,000 military and police deployed, and specific rescue stories involving the U.S., French, and Venezuelan teams.
Aftershocks of 4.2 and 4.5 were reported by one source, but not confirmed by others.
One source mentions that National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez said time was running out for rescues.
Key figures
Delcy Rodríguez acting President of Venezuela (also referred to as Interim President)
Lucas Trejo Argentine soccer player for Club Sport Marítimo de La Guaira
Jorge Rodríguez President of the Venezuelan National Assembly
Jason Mercano civilian rescuer mentioned in one source
Leomery Pérez anesthesiologist at Domingo Luciani Hospital
Ronal Rodríguez researcher at the Venezuelan Observatory
Amy Pope director general of the International Organization for Migration
Sources: abcnews.com, NBC News
