Venezuela earthquake death toll rises to 235 as rescue efforts continue

Venezuela's health minister has confirmed that at least 235 people have been killed and 4,300 others wounded in the earthquakes that struck the country on Wednesday night. Most casualties were recorded in the northern coastal region of La Guaira. The interior minister reported that more than 70,000 families have been affected in the hard-hit northern coastal state of La Guaira, where over 100 buildings have collapsed.

International aid has begun to arrive, with Brazil, Canada, Mexico, and the United States sending search-and-rescue teams and other humanitarian assistance, alongside the United Nations. The US-based Center for Economic and Policy Research has urged the US and other countries to lift sanctions on Venezuela to help Caracas respond more effectively to the disaster, as reported by Al Jazeera.

Amnesty International chief Agnes Callamard warned that the earthquakes risk "further compounding an already severe and protracted human rights crisis and humanitarian emergency suffered by the Venezuelan people for over a decade." The UN's child rights agency, UNICEF, has warned that thousands of children are at risk following the quakes and called for their needs to be prioritized.

Venezuela was struck by a pair of earthquakes, recording magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5, on Wednesday night, causing widespread destruction. Interim President Delcy Rodriguez has declared a state of emergency. Roughly 250 buildings have been destroyed in the seismic activity, leaving approximately 3,000 families without shelter. More structures need to be assessed for stability before reopening. According to Mehr News, the situation remains critical as rescue operations continue.