The Interim President of Venezuela, Delcy Rodríguez, confirmed that the two powerful earthquakes that struck the central region of the country have caused at least 32 deaths and left more than 700 people injured.
“At this moment, we have reports of 32 deaths, not including the figures that the state of La Guaira may provide, and more than 700 injured individuals whom we are receiving in the emergency rooms of public hospitals and private health centers,” Rodríguez declared during a broadcast on the state network Venezolana de Televisión.
Read more about this topic: Venezuela declares state of emergency following 7.2-7.5 earthquakes (with video)
The head of state noted that La Guaira appears to be the hardest-hit region and officially declared the northern state, located near the capital city of Caracas, as a “disaster zone.”
Rodríguez admitted that the death toll is expected to rise as search, rescue, and recovery operations continue following the 7.5 and 7.2 magnitude earthquakes, which struck just 39 seconds apart on Wednesday evening.
