Venezuela's interim president, Delcy Rodríguez, presented the first official report early Thursday morning following the tragedy that struck her country Wednesday afternoon, when two earthquakes of magnitude 7.1 and 7.5 shook the nation. The death toll as of early Thursday morning was 164, with 971 injured
In their first appearance of the day, the authorities specified that the damage and casualties in the coastal state of La Guaira, where the Maiquetía international airport is located, were not yet being tallied, as it was closed due to the significant damage caused by the earthquake.
Dozens of buildings, with their inhabitants inside, collapsed during the earthquakes that occurred after 6:00 pm yesterday, Wednesday, while others suffered serious damage, according to published reports.
During her televised address, the acting president appealed to the country's private sector for support with heavy machinery to expedite rescue efforts following the double earthquake that struck the nation. She stated that the areas most affected by the tremors were La Guaira and the Greater Caracas region.
Rescue personnel from other states have been deployed to these locations. Personnel from other countries and the United Nations will also arrive.
Rodríguez announced the creation of an initial US$200 million fund from the International Monetary Fund to rebuild infrastructure such as hospitals and housing, after calling for an ecumenical prayer service at 7:00 pm Caracas time. “We will emerge stronger and more united than ever. Those whose infrastructure has not been affected should remain calm and stay in their homes,” he said.
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