ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic loss of life and destruction caused by powerful earthquakes in Venezuela, reaffirming its solidarity with the South American nation during the ongoing rescue and recovery efforts.
The twin earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude, struck Venezuela on Wednesday, leaving at least 32 people dead and hundreds injured. Emergency teams continue to search for survivors amid widespread damage in several regions.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif offered condolences to the Venezuelan government and people, particularly the families mourning loved ones lost in the disaster.
In a message posted on X, the prime minister said Pakistan stands with Venezuela in this difficult period and prayed for the swift recovery of those injured.
President Asif Ali Zardari also conveyed his sympathies, expressing sadness over the casualties and destruction caused by the earthquakes. In a statement issued by the President House, he extended condolences to the bereaved families and assured the Venezuelan people of Pakistan’s support and compassion.
President Zardari said Pakistan shares the grief of the affected communities and prayed for the health and recovery of the injured. He also expressed hope that relief and rescue operations would provide timely assistance to those impacted by the catastrophe.
The earthquakes caused severe destruction in and around the Venezuelan capital, Caracas, with numerous buildings collapsing and rescue workers racing against time to locate survivors trapped beneath the rubble.
According to predictive assessments by the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the final death toll could rise significantly, potentially reaching into the thousands. The agency warned there remains a substantial possibility that fatalities could exceed 10,000 as the full scale of the disaster becomes clear.
Venezuela’s interim president, Delcy Rodríguez, said the current casualty figures do not yet include victims from La Guaira state, home to Caracas’s main airport and one of the hardest-hit areas.
Speaking on state television, Rodríguez reported that dozens of structures had collapsed and that emergency responders were conducting extensive search-and-rescue operations to save as many lives as possible.
President Zardari expressed confidence that the people of Venezuela would confront the tragedy with resilience and determination while rebuilding affected communities in the aftermath of the disaster.
