Venezuela earthquake: Satellite images show significant destruction after two earthquakes; the death toll is close to 1500 | Today’s news
As rescue teams continued to search for survivors Sunday after two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela last week, high-resolution satellite images from Vantor revealed the extensive structural devastation caused by the disaster.
The death toll from Wednesday’s twin earthquakes rose to nearly 1,500 as international rescue teams arrived in La Guaira, the state worst hit by the disaster. The region, located about 40 kilometers (25 miles) north of Caracas, has been devastated by earthquakes, compounding the problems facing a country already struggling with a long-running political and economic crisis.
Considerable destruction is visible throughout La Guaira, located north of Caracas, where dozens of high-rise residential buildings collapsed in the neighborhood of Playa Grande, north of Simon Bolivar Airport.
Quick answers to key questions
•5 QUESTIONS
The devastation in La Guaira, Venezuela was caused by two strong earthquakes of magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 that hit the region.
The first 72 hours are critical for rescue teams as the likelihood of finding survivors decreases significantly after this time frame, making early rescue efforts vital.
At least 774 buildings are reported to have collapsed following two earthquakes in Venezuela.
The earthquake caused nearly 1,500 deaths, more than 3,100 injuries and 12,721 residents were displaced in La Guaira.
Yes, international aid has already begun, with 24 countries sending supplies and search and rescue personnel to help affected areas.
Before and after satellite images also highlight severe damage to many commercial properties, industrial facilities and other buildings across the city. A comparison of images taken 10 days apart shows that Playa Grande was covered in dust after the disaster.
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Although some buildings remained standing, many others were completely destroyed. One white building on a street corner appeared to have completely collapsed, resembling a house of cards, while at least five neighboring structures were reduced to rubble.
Satellite images of the collapsed Residencia Nautilus and the damaged shipping container dock before and after along Avenida La Playa in La Guaira illustrate the extent of the destruction. A picture taken on May 8 shows rows of shipping containers neatly stacked near the waterfront. By June 25, nearly two months later, several nearby buildings had collapsed and the area was severely damaged, according to NDTV.
The industrial district of La Guaira also suffered extensive losses, with warehouse buildings reduced to rubble. Little remains except piles of rubble and exposed steel rebars that once formed part of the structures.
Read also | Venezuela desperately searching for 50,000 missing after earthquake
An apartment complex in La Guaira also suffered extensive damage during the earthquake. Satellite images taken on May 8 show rows of tightly built houses with black roofs standing intact. However, in the post-earthquake image, nearly half of the buildings had either completely collapsed or were left leaning dangerously due to the tremors.
Rescue work, school closures and more
Interim President Delcy Rodriguez, after announcing a presidential commission to assess the habitability of the buildings, said: “The rescue and recovery efforts continue. Today (Sunday) we saved lives and that’s why operations are not suspended. We always maintain hope.”
President Rodriguez, surrounded by several government ministers, announced that schools would remain closed for another week, while electricity in La Guaira had been restored to about 75% of the affected area, according to Reuters.
Read also | The earthquake in Venezuela wiped out the entire family of Argentine soccer player Lucas Trejo
The government led by Rodriguez since she took office after her predecessor was ousted during a US operation in January initially expressed gratitude to civilian volunteers delivering humanitarian aid to La Guaira. However, authorities later restricted access to the main highway, explaining that heavy traffic was impeding the movement of emergency and rescue vehicles.
Meanwhile, earlier in the day, Jorge Rodriguez, brother of the incumbent president and president of the National Assembly, announced that the death toll rose by 20 on Sunday, bringing the total to 1,450. He also said that 3,150 people were injured, 12,721 residents were displaced and 774 buildings collapsed.
“We are in critical hours, decisive hours to continue saving lives and building camps where people who have lost their homes or cannot return to their homes for any reason can stay,” he mentioned.
