Venezuela honours victims one month after devastating earthquakes
Venezuelans across the nation and in the capital city of Caracas held a minute of silence on Friday to honour the victims of major earthquakes that struck the country one month prior.
Interim President Delcy Rodriguez joined military and political leaders in Caracas to observe the tribute, marking one month since the June 24 disaster that claimed at least 5,500 lives across the country.
In her address paying tribute to the earthquake victims, Rodriguez commended the national response efforts.
"Exactly one month ago, we became victims of nature with a double earthquake. In circumstances truly unprecedented for our country, but that day, Army Day, our Bolivarian National Armed Force went out to be there for the people of Venezuela to stand by them, to rescue, to save lives, to get their boots caked in mud, and they are still there on the ground."
The tragedy was caused by 7.2- and 7.5-magnitude tremors on June 24. The disaster resulted in 5,546 deaths and left almost 17,000 people injured, while many others remain missing. The physical destruction was severe, with hundreds of buildings pulverised and more than 23,000 people left homeless.
Observances took place throughout the affected region. In Tanaguarena, La Guaira, dozens of rescue volunteers and family members searching for missing relatives paused their work at a destroyed building to participate in the silence.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
