The death toll from the twin earthquakes in Venezuela has risen to at least 589, with more than 2,000 others injured as rescuers race to reach survivors.
The death toll could rise as high as 100,000, according to estimates from the U.S. Geological Survey, following the back-to-back magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 earthquakes that hit northern Venezuela on Wednesday night, roughly 120 miles west of Caracas.
The Trump administration has activated a government-wide humanitarian response, pledging $150 million in aid and deploying U.S. Navy warships to assist in life-saving rescue operations.
Also, countries from across the Americas – including Brazil, Canada, Mexico, Colombia, El Salvador, Cuba, as well as the United Nations- continued to send search and rescue teams and humanitarian aid in the aftermath of the quakes.
“To the Venezuelan people, to those whose loved ones are under the rubble, know that we are determined that help gets to you,” said the UN’s aid chief, Tom Fletcher.
More than 4,300 people are wounded, with hospitals “full of patients,” according to Venezuela’s Health Minister Carlos Alvarado. Hundreds more are believed to be trapped under rubble.
