Earthquakes in Venezuela leave 920 dead, overwhelm hospitals

At least 920 people have died and 3,360 have been injured in Venezuela following two powerful earthquakes that struck the country, the government reported. Rescue teams continue their search for survivors amidst the devastation, while families anxiously await news of their loved ones. The northern part of the country, including the capital Caracas, has been severely impacted, with dozens of buildings destroyed.

International aid is arriving, with hundreds of rescuers already on the ground and more expected. The region of La Guaira, north of the capital, has been identified as the hardest-hit area. This region is home to one of Venezuela's two main ports and the Simón Bolívar International Airport. Officials estimate that over 50,000 people are missing, and the death toll is expected to rise as search and recovery operations continue.

The situation in Venezuelan hospitals is dire, with medical facilities reportedly lacking essential supplies and medications even before the disaster. Doctors describe an already challenging environment that has been made significantly worse by the earthquakes. "All our hospitals lack various supplies, we lack medicines, we are unable to provide medical assistance to our compatriots even in normal circumstances," said Dr. Pedro Javier Fernandez. He added that the emergency situation is more difficult to manage than in other countries.

Among the casualties confirmed are citizens of Portugal, Brazil, and Spain. The earthquakes, with the second registering a magnitude of 7.5, are among the strongest to hit Venezuela in a century. Hundreds of buildings and at least 1,000 other infrastructure facilities have been damaged or destroyed, compounding the humanitarian crisis.