Venezuela gets another shock: 5.6 magnitude earthquake hits Aragua amid rescue efforts

A 5.6 magnitude earthquake hits Aragua, Venezuela (Image/AP)

Another 5.6-magnitude earthquake struck Venezuela as the Latin American nation grapples with devastating twin earthquakes that struck earlier this week, killing more than 1,430 people and injuring thousands.The latest quake hit Venezuela’s Aragua region, according to the European-Mediterranean Seismological Center (EMSC), Reuters reports. The latest setback comes as rescue teams continue to search for survivors amid widespread destruction caused by earlier earthquakes.The latest earthquake comes after powerful earthquakes of magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 struck Venezuela on Wednesday, causing hundreds of aftershocks, flattening buildings and forcing thousands of people from their homes.Venezuelan officials said the death toll from the twin earthquakes had risen to 1,430, while 3,200 people were injured and about 3,100 residents were left homeless.Authorities also said hundreds of people were missing or trapped under collapsed buildings, while the opposition claimed more than 54,000 people were reported missing through an online missing persons database.The government said about 1,600 foreign rescue workers had arrived to assist in search and rescue efforts, with teams from several more countries expected to join the operation.Rescue efforts are focused on La Guaira, one of the hardest-hit coastal towns, where residents and volunteers have complained of a lack of heavy equipment and delays in reaching collapsed buildings.Authorities have also restricted access to the affected areas to ensure unhindered movement of emergency vehicles.According to the United Nations, approximately 7 million people may be affected by this disaster, while direct economic losses are estimated at approximately $6.7 billion.Electricity supplies have been gradually restored in many affected areas, although power cuts continue near the epicenter and in parts of La Guaira. The Venezuelan government said that about 60% of power had now been restored to the affected areas.

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