Deaths of two Portuguese descendants confirmed in earthquake in Venezuela; Madeira offers help
The government of Madeira confirmed the death of two citizens of Portuguese descent after a violent earthquake shook Venezuela. Regional authorities indicated that the island has already expressed its willingness to send aid and support to communities affected by the natural disaster.
During a festive event in Funchal, the head of the Madeiran executive, Miguel Albuquerque, reported that initial data indicates considerable losses in Caracas and neighboring regions. Collapses of buildings and essential systems have been reported, however, a complete assessment of the damage is hampered by severe communication problems.
Albuquerque emphasized the confirmation of the two deaths with roots in Madeira, but highlighted the existence of countless people who have not yet been located and without any contact. He highlighted that the next forty-eight hours will be crucial for the success of search and rescue actions.
The regional leader detailed that Madeira has already notified the Government of the Portuguese Republic and other national bodies about the resources that can be provided to assist in the emergency response. The sending of teams specialized in rescue and medical assistance is being evaluated, which could be part of a support mission at national or European level.
However, relief operations face serious logistical constraints, especially as one of the largest airports in the affected area remains inoperable. This requires the search for alternative ways to transport essential teams and materials.
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Miguel Albuquerque stressed that, at this early stage, the primary focus is the rescue of trapped individuals and the treatment of the injured. He considered it hasty to release final statistics on the number of victims or the extent of material damage.
The president of the Madeiran government also drew a parallel with the Vargas catastrophe, which occurred in 1999, to highlight the complexity in accurately counting victims in disasters of this magnitude. He admitted that collecting the final number of deaths and injuries could take several days to complete, a recurring challenge in major seismic events in the region.
When asked about the needs of Madeiran citizens living in Venezuela, Albuquerque appealed for calm and unity. He assured that the Autonomous Region of Madeira will closely monitor the development of the crisis and will offer all viable support to the affected families.
