world
Port Reopens in Venezuela as Earthquake Deaths Exceed 1,700
US forces repaired the port in La Guaira and doubled aid to $300 million on June 29. Le Monde reported more than 1,700 deaths and tens of thousands missing five days after the quakes.
abcnews.go.comAudio version
Tap play to generate a narrated version.
US Marines and airmen worked on June 29 to reopen the damaged port in La Guaira and restore operations at Simon Bolivar International Airport near Caracas, Le Monde reported. The efforts aim to speed delivery of supplies after twin earthquakes struck Venezuela five days earlier. Deaths from the quakes reached more than 1,700, with tens of thousands still reported missing.
The 7.2- and 7.5-magnitude events on June 24 flattened neighborhoods of multi-story buildings in La Guaira state and injured 3,150 people. A magnitude 4.6 aftershock struck shortly after 7:00 a.m. local time on June 29.
At a makeshift morgue in a La Guaira port warehouse, hundreds of bodies lay in white and black bags and coffins while forensic teams examined remains and dozens of relatives waited outside. US Marines used landing craft from the docked USS Fort Lauderdale to bring supplies ashore, and US helicopters ferried additional aid.
The United States doubled its aid pledge from $150 million to $300 million.
Twenty-four nations sent 521 tons of supplies, including 86 search-and-rescue units with dogs and more than 2,700 personnel, according to interim President Delcy Rodriguez. A 21-year-old man identified as Aaron Levi was rescued in Tanaguarena on June 29 after more than 120 hours under rubble. A woman trapped in a collapsed building in Caraballeda sent a WhatsApp message saying she was alive.
Outbreaks of looting struck pharmacies and supermarkets in La Guaira city. The UN migration agency stated that up to 6.76 million people could need shelter, water, sanitation, healthcare and relief items. National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez said 774 buildings were badly damaged, including 189 that collapsed completely.
