250 Buildings and 8 Hospitals in Venezuela Reported Destroyed

As many as 250 buildings, eight hospitals, and 20 shopping centres have been damaged or destroyed by the powerful earthquake that struck Venezuela, according to National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez. “To date, 250 buildings have been declared damaged or completely destroyed. Eight hospitals have suffered damage and some had to be evacuated. Twenty shopping malls and 68 infrastructure facilities have been damaged,” Rodriguez said in a televised address. Two earthquakes, measuring magnitude 7.2 and 7.5, struck Venezuela on Wednesday, followed by 30 aftershocks. At least 235 people have been reported dead. The quakes also destroyed many homes, damaged various infrastructure facilities and hospitals, and forced the closure of Venezuela’s main airport. Interim President Delcy Rodriguez has declared a state of emergency to expedite disaster management.