Venezuela is struck by a strong aftershock days after two powerful earthquakes devastated the country’s north. The aftershock is reported to have been felt shortly after 7am in Caracas and La Guaira as search and rescue operations continue following last week’s quakes. The twin earthquakes, with magnitudes reported as 7.2 and 7.5, cause widespread damage and raise concern about the safety of buildings weakened by the tremors. Reported casualties are updated across outlets: the death toll is cited as at least in the range of roughly 920 to over 1,450, with differences reflecting the timing of the reports. In addition to deaths, officials and media describe tens of thousands of people as missing, with at least 68,900 cited in one report.
Britain announces it is sending a search and rescue team and supporting resources. A UK International Search and Rescue team of dozens of personnel, including specialist search dogs, is deployed to assist. Britain also dispatches a UK Emergency Medical Team to prepare for medical support and provides £2 million in humanitarian funding. The Foreign Office states UK staff are safe and accounted for after damage to the British embassy in Caracas, and says there are no reports of British people being killed or injured.
