Venezuela Earthquakes: 164 Dead, Survivors Describe ‘Fear and Chaos’
Part of composite article Death Toll Hits 188 in Venezuela as Twin Quakes Level Buildings, Rescuers Dig for Survivors View full article →
A series of powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela’s northern coast on Wednesday, collapsing buildings and killing at least 164 people. In the capital, Caracas, and nearby coastal towns, residents fled into the streets as buildings shook and fractured.
“It was horrible. I felt like the house was moving to a different rhythm to the earth,” said 18-year-old Sebastian Rodríguez. “I had to carry my mum out. She was paralysed by fear.” Rodríguez’s family runs a shop in Centro Plaza, a commercial center in the affluent Los Palos Grandes neighborhood.
Rescue crews continue to search for survivors in the rubble. Officials have not yet released a full estimate of those injured or missing.