An online platform developed to monitor the whereabouts of individuals after the recent and intense earthquakes in Venezuela indicated more than 24,000 names of missing people as of early Thursday afternoon (25).
Although the data is unofficial, compiled by the population itself, it offers a perspective on the extent of the disaster caused by earthquakes of magnitudes 7.5 and 7.2, which shook Venezuelan territory on Wednesday night. The numbers released by the Venezuelan government, in turn, record more than 180 deaths and hundreds of injuries to date.
The digital tool was created by members of the Venezuelan opposition and had a count of more than 24 thousand names at 1:30 pm this Thursday, according to Brasília time.
The expectation is that the total number of missing people listed on the website, as well as official statistics on deaths and injuries, will continue to grow. This projection is due to the fact that the earthquakes caused the collapse of buildings and homes in several regions of the country, surprising many Venezuelans in their homes, as it was a national holiday. Around 500 rescue teams have been working since Wednesday night to find victims under the rubble.
Initial analysis of the double tremors that impacted Venezuela and were noticed in Brazil
Estimates of deaths and alerts from specialized entities
The United States Geological Survey, a global authority on seismic events, has estimated that the number of fatalities from the earthquakes could reach the 10,000 mark as search and rescue operations continue across the country.
Consequences and details of the earthquakes that devastated Venezuela
The main tremors were followed by at least 30 aftershocks in the subsequent hours, according to information from the Venezuelan government. The tremors were also noticed in cities located in the North of Brazil.
- Seismic aftershocks consist of lower-intensity tremors that occur subsequent to a large mainshock.
The two initial earthquakes occurred less than a minute apart, resulting in the collapse of buildings and residences both in the capital, Caracas, and in other parts of the country.