African Union mourns Venezuela earthquake victims as death toll hits 188

Africa, International

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (NPA) — The African Union (AU) has expressed solidarity with the Government and people of Venezuela following the devastating earthquakes that struck the South American country, leaving at least 188 people dead and more than 1,500 others injured.

In a statement on Thursday, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, extended condolences to the families of the victims and wished those injured a speedy recovery.

He also paid tribute to emergency responders and humanitarian workers involved in rescue and relief operations.

“The Chairperson expresses his profound solidarity with the Government and the people of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela following the powerful earthquakes that struck the country,” the statement said.

“In these difficult circumstances, the African Union reaffirms its solidarity with the Government and people of Venezuela and hopes that ongoing relief, recovery and reconstruction efforts will enable affected communities to overcome this tragedy as quickly as possible.”

The latest official figures released by Acting President Delcy Rodríguez and National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez put the death toll at 188, while more than 1,500 people have sustained injuries.

Authorities warned that the number of casualties could increase as rescue teams continue searching collapsed buildings for survivors.

The twin earthquakes, measuring magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5, struck within seconds of each other near the Caribbean coastal town of Morón, making them the strongest to hit Venezuela in more than a century.

The earthquakes triggered widespread destruction across Caracas and neighbouring La Guaira State, where residential buildings, roads and critical infrastructure suffered extensive damage.

The Simón Bolívar International Airport was temporarily shut after sustaining structural damage, while schools and public facilities were converted into emergency shelters for displaced residents.

The Venezuelan government has declared a nationwide state of emergency as rescue and humanitarian operations continue across the affected areas.

International relief efforts are also gathering pace as countries and humanitarian organisations mobilise assistance for victims of the disaster.