The United Arab Emirates has expressed its sincere solidarity with the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela following two earthquakes that struck the country, resulting in a large number of deaths and injuries as well as severe material damage.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed, in a statement, its deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathy to the families and relatives of the victims, and to the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and its friendly people in this painful tragedy, wishing a speedy recovery to the injured.
At least 164 people were killed and more than 900 others injured, according to an initial official toll announced by acting President Delcy Rodríguez, after a powerful 7.5-magnitude earthquake struck Venezuela's northern coast, 40 seconds after a 7.2-magnitude foreshock had shaken the region. The earthquakes — the strongest since 1900 — caused houses and buildings to collapse in the capital Caracas and wrought widespread destruction across the area.
The epicentres of both earthquakes were located in Yaracuy state, west of Caracas, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The first struck at 22:04 GMT, followed less than a minute later by a second quake at a depth of approximately 10 kilometres (6 miles).
Although both epicentres were outside the capital, tremors were felt across Caracas and much of central and western Venezuela, including the states of Carabobo, Miranda, La Guaira, and Trujillo.
Tremors were also recorded in neighbouring Colombia and reached the Amazon region of Brazil, more than 1,700 kilometres (1,050 miles) from Caracas.
The two earthquakes caused several buildings to collapse and extensive damage, particularly in the capital Caracas, prompting authorities to declare a state of emergency and close the international airport serving the capital.
As search operations beneath the rubble continue, authorities are still assessing the full extent of the damage, especially in La Guaira state near the capital, while the USGS has warned that the death toll may rise with hundreds of people still believed to be trapped under the debris.
Acting Venezuelan President Delcy Rodríguez declared the northern coastal state of La Guaira — the hardest-hit area — a disaster zone. In a televised address, she said: