Venezuela Declares 7-Day National Mourning After Devastating Earthquakes

A week after two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela, acting president Delcy Rodríguez has declared seven days of national mourning starting Wednesday evening, as the official death toll rises to 1,943 with over 10,000 injured and tens of thousands missing. Source: elnacionalve, excelsiormx

The disaster

The pair of quakes, measuring magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5, devastated the northern coastal state of La Guaira, especially Caraballeda and Catia La Mar. Source: infobae Official figures report 10,571 wounded and 6,461 people rescued alive. However, between 13,400 and 13,500 managed to flee the worst-hit areas on their own. Source: excelsiormx The UN estimates up to 50,000 people remain missing or unaccounted for. Source: elnacionalve

Response and criticism

While authorities have deployed over 26,000 personnel and received international aid, including a Spanish field hospital, Source: infobae criticism has mounted over the slow government response. Residents and civil organizations say rescue and aid initially depended on family and volunteers rather than the state. Source: infobae President of the parliament Jorge Rodríguez acknowledged a 'gap' of between 7,000 and 10,000 people not listed as survivors or dead. Source: excelsiormx

Damage assessment