Jorge Rodríguez mentioned 250 buildings had been broken or misplaced, largely in La Guaira, the place the BBC verified footage of a 10-storey lodge lowered to rubble. On Thursday, folks had been looking for family members there.
Juan Ortiz instructed the BBC one in all his shut mates had been confirmed useless, one other was believed to be underneath the rubble, and round 20 folks he knew who stay within the coastal space had been lacking.
“I am in shock and confusion, and annoyed that I am unable to assist,” the medical pupil in Caracas mentioned.
Buildings had been additionally introduced down within the capital, Inside Minister Diosdado Cabello mentioned, with Trujillo, Yaracuy, Carabobo, Aragua and Miranda additionally affected.
Mayor Gustavo Duque of Chacao, which types a part of the larger metropolitan space of Caracas, mentioned outdoors one ruined constructing on Thursday that 11 folks had died there and 23 had been rescued.
In a video replace posted on social media, he mentioned the workforce was attempting to clear the rubble in order that specialists might go in “to succeed in people who find themselves hopefully nonetheless alive”.
“We’re attempting to rescue as many individuals alive as doable,” he mentioned.
Venezuela’s essential worldwide airport in Maiquetía on the outskirts of Caracas has been closed on account of critical harm, the nation’s interim president mentioned. Video from contained in the terminal confirmed mud and particles falling from the ceiling.
About 250km (155 miles) northwest of Caracas, one other verified video confirmed a multi-storey constructing, reportedly a lodge, collapsed in Tucacas on the coast.
Aftershocks have continued to ripple by the realm, with at the very least 30 recorded after the 2 earthquakes, Delcy Rodríguez instructed state-run tv channel Venezolana de Televisión.
