Caracas, June 27 (EFE).- The president of Venezuela’s National Assembly, Jorge Rodríguez, reported Saturday that 1,430 people died in the two 7.2 and 7.5 earthquakes that occurred three days ago.
Rodríguez added in a speech broadcast on the state-run channel VTV that there are 3,238 people injured, as well as 3,142 affected families.
He noted that as of Saturday, authorities have assisted 73,736 families, particularly in the coastal state of La Guaira, north of Caracas, which was hardest hit by Wednesday’s twin earthquakes.
The deputy noted that 16 doctors from Curaçao have arrived in the country to treat the victims.
He also stated that over 30,000 personnel, including military personnel, police officers, rescue workers, medical staff, paramedics, and Venezuelan psychologists, have been deployed to the affected areas.
Rodríguez asked all citizens not to travel to La Guaira on their own to facilitate the transport of heavy machinery needed for debris removal, as well as the transport of the injured patients to various health centers in the coastal region and Caracas.
The president of the National Assembly encouraged people to make donations at collection centers, adding that volunteer registration is underway at the Poliedro de Caracas.
Earlier, the government of Delcy Rodríguez reported that 2,600 metric tons of food and drinking water had been distributed in La Guaira early Saturday morning to families affected by the earthquakes.
Venezuela has welcomed more than 1,600 rescue workers to assist earthquake victims, according to a statement made Saturday by Venezuela’s Vice Minister for Europe and North America, Oliver Blanco.
Venezuela’s acting president met on Friday with experts from the United States to assess rescue operations and provide assistance to the victims of the two earthquakes.
In addition, thousands of Venezuelans are volunteering in rescue efforts at the affected buildings and have organized collection drives for supplies and the transport of donations to different areas of Caracas and La Guaira. EFE
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