CARACAS: A fresh earthquake measuring 5.6 on the Richter scale has struck off the coast of Venezuela, according to data released by the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC). The recent seismic activity hit the waters off the coast of Aragua at a depth of 30 kilometers, sending panic through a region that is already reeling from catastrophic twin earthquakes that struck on Wednesday. The earlier quakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude, have collectively claimed nearly 1,500 lives. A multitude of smaller aftershocks continue to shake the nation, severely complicating ongoing emergency management procedures.
Emergency rescue workers are racing against time to pull possible survivors from the massive debris of collapsed structures. According to data published by Al Jazeera, at least 1,430 fatalities have been officially confirmed, while a staggering 51,000 individuals remain unaccounted for or reported missing. Disaster management authorities warned that finding living survivors becomes highly improbable once the critical 72-hour golden window lapses. Expressing solidarity in the wake of the tragedy, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva communicated with Venezuela’s Acting President Delcy Rodriguez. Acting President Rodriguez also extended her gratitude to UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for his official messages of condolence to the bereaved families.
Meanwhile, US Department of State Spokesperson Tommy Pigott stated that Washington immediately mobilized urban search and rescue tactical units, along with emergency medical shipments, noting that integrating international disaster response programs directly under the State Department has enabled a more rapid response. On the ground, local residents have expressed immense frustration over a perceived lack of coordination in the government’s recovery operations, a situation worsened by persistent mobile network and internet outages across worst-hit sectors. A satellite-based Rapid Digital Assessment (RAPIDA) conducted by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) indicated that the June 24 disasters inflicted roughly USD 6.7 billion in direct physical damages to local infrastructure, accounting for an estimated 6% of the country’s annual Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
ലഘു വിവരണം
വെനിസ്വേലയിൽ വൻ നാശനഷ്ടം വിതച്ച ഇരട്ട ഭൂചലനങ്ങൾക്ക് പിന്നാലെ തീരക്കടലിൽ റിക്ടർ സ്കെയിലിൽ 5.6 തീവ്രത രേഖപ്പെടുത്തിയ പുതിയ ഭൂചലനം കൂടി ഉണ്ടായി. കഴിഞ്ഞ ബുധനാഴ്ച ഉണ്ടായ ഭൂചലനങ്ങളിൽ മരിച്ചവരുടെ എണ്ണം 1,430 ആയി ഉയർന്നു. 51,000-ത്തോളം ആളുകളെ കാണാതായിട്ടുണ്ടെന്നാണ് റിപ്പോർട്ടുകൾ. തകർന്ന കെട്ടിടങ്ങൾക്കിടയിൽ കുടുങ്ങിയവർക്കായി യുഎസിന്റെ സഹായത്തോടെ തിരച്ചിൽ തുടരുകയാണ്. വൻ ജനനാശത്തിന് പുറമെ രാജ്യത്തിന് ഏകദേശം 6.7 ബില്യൺ ഡോളറിന്റെ സാമ്പത്തിക നഷ്ടം ഉണ്ടായതായി യുഎൻഡിപി വിലയിരുത്തുന്നു.
(With inputs from ANI)
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