Venezuela earthquakes live: 164 killed, many buried

 

• Back-to-back powerful earthquakes have struck Venezuela, collapsing buildings in the capital Caracas, killing at least 164 people, and wounding nearly 1,000 others throughout the country.
• Secretary of State Marco Rubio promises a “big, fast, effective” US response to the unfolding disaster in Venezuela.
• Acting President Delcy Rodriguez declares a state of emergency and says the Simon Bolivar International Airport in Caracas is closed because of damage.
• The USGS warns “high casualties and extensive damage are probable” and the “disaster is likely widespread”.

• ‘Terrifying’: Caracas resident recounts surviving back-to-back quakes

  By Julio Cesar Blanca

  Reporting from Caracas, Venezuela

  In La California, one of Caracas’s hardest-hit areas by the earthquake, 45-year-old Eunice Arias stood outside her damaged building, still shaken.

  Arias, who works at a currency exchange office in the neighbourhood, told Al Jazeera that it was “terrifying” when the first tremor hit.

  “We were working as usual yesterday, and then I went out when the earthquake hit near La California. I can’t even describe how frightening it was. The buildings were shaking; you could hear the columns creaking. It was truly horrifying,” she said.

  She recalled experiencing an earthquake last year but said this was far worse.

  “I’d experienced an earthquake in Los Teques, but nothing like this. And on top of that, there were two quakes. The second one was even worse. I thought the building was going to collapse,” Arias said.

  She had just arrived at her apartment when the second quake struck.

  “I had just arrived at my apartment when lamps started falling, televisions toppled over, and the water tanks were shaking so violently that water was splashing everywhere. It was indescribable. Honestly, it was horrible.”
• 18m ago

  (14:40 GMT)

  

  Venezuela quakes: How will sanctions impact aid operations?

  

  By Federica Marsi

  The economic chokehold on Venezuela was partially lifted after US forces abducted President Nicolas Maduro in a raid in January.

  The interim government led by Maduro ally, Delcy Rodriguez, has been on stable terms with US President Donald Trump’s administration, which has since sought to re-establish US investment in the oil industry.

  While the partial lifting of sanctions – including on Rodriguez, who was Maduro’s vice president – allows Venezuela to transact more freely with US companies and financial institutions, experts are concerned about the effects on aid operations.

  Read more here.

  

  Surveying the earthquake damage in La Guaira on Thursday [Gaby Oraa/Reuters]
• 28m ago

  (14:30 GMT)

  Venezuela quake response requires ‘massive collective effort’: UN

  The United Nations is “fully mobilised” to provide assistance in quake-hit Venezuela, its humanitarian aid chief says.

  “We are fully mobilised to support the people of Venezuela,” said Tom Fletcher. “The coming days will require a massive collective effort to support the government-led response and help communities.”

  

  Damaged homes following the earthquake in Catia La Mar in La Guaira state [AFP]
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