‘Tonnes and tonnes of rubble’: more than 58,000 buildings estimated to have been destroyed in Venezuela earthquakes

AI Summary

Two powerful earthquakes with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5 struck Venezuela, causing the destruction of over 58,000 buildings. The disaster has resulted in nearly 2,000 deaths, more than 10,500 injuries, and potentially affecting up to 6.8 million people in need of humanitarian aid.

Preliminary analysis of satellite data suggests magnitude of natural disaster could dwarf official estimates More than 58,000 buildings may have been damaged and destroyed by the twin earthquakes that hit Venezuela last week, according to a preliminary analysis of satellite data that suggests the scale of the destruction could dwarf official estimates. Last Wednesday’s back-to-back quakes – which measured magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 – killed at least 1,943 people, injured more than 10,571, and left tens of thousands missing amid the rubble. The UN migration agency has said that up to 6.8 million people could be affected by the disasters, and would require shelter, water, sanitation, healthcare and essential relief items. Continue reading...