26 June 2026 , 09:32
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Two massive earthquakes struck northern Venezuela on Wednesday, causing widespread destruction and killing at least 235 people.
A further 4,300 people are injured.
"Many of them have required surgical interventions, and unfortunately, we have received around 235 patients who arrived without vital signs or who died upon arrival at our health facilities," Health Minister Carlos Alvarado said on Thursday.
The death toll is expected to rise as rescue efforts continue, authorities said. Nearly 50,000 people have been reported missing through an unofficial website.
A 7.2-magnitude earthquake hit west of Moron on the Caribbean coast, about 105 miles west of Caracas, at around 6pm local time (11pm BST) on Wednesday, the US Geological Survey said. Less than a minute later, a 7.5-magnitude earthquake struck, with its epicenter 10 miles southwest of Moron.
Footage posted on social media showed vehicles shaking, smoke filling the streets, and buildings badly damaged or collapsed due to the tremors.
World Affairs Correspondent