The search for survivors intensified on Friday in Venezuela, where international aid began to arrive, almost two days after a devastating double earthquake which left at least 235 dead according to the latest official report.
• Also read: LIVE | Double earthquake in Venezuela: at least 235 dead and more than 1,500 injured, according to a new provisional report
• Also read: Earthquakes in Venezuela: help offered from around the world
A first American military detachment, headed by a Marine general, arrived in Caracas on Friday to “coordinate” the American aid promised to the victims, the American army announced.
Images from AFP’s Live video show around 9 a.m. GMT, 5 a.m. in Caracas, busy rescuers, sometimes in great destitution, with bare hands and with simple shovels and plastic buckets, in the rubble of a collapsed building.
The President of the National Assembly, Jorge Rodríguez, reported 157 missing people and “more than 200 identified people trapped in the rubble”, in a post on his Facebook account.
The earthquake also left at least 4,300 injured across the country, according to the minister.
Many countries, particularly in Latin America, have announced aid. A first plane from El Salvador arrived there, according to the president of this country Nayib Bukele. “Our staff on site informs us (…) that a lot of equipment is missing,” he stressed on X.
The United States promised an “important”, “rapid and effective” response, through its Secretary of State, Marco Rubio. With the sending of rescuers and the release of aid of 150 million dollars. The US military said it would deploy military ships, planes and helicopters to support the relief efforts.
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