Venezuela hit by twin earthquakes as global aid mobilizes for rescue

Two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela along the Caribbean coast, causing widespread destruction in La Guaira and Caracas and prompting urgent rescue efforts as authorities declared a state of emergency. Officials said about 235 people were dead and around 4,300 injured. Roughly 1,000 emergency responders from 25 teams arrived or were en route from around the world, with aid pledged by Spain, Chile, Germany, Turkey, China and others. Venezuela’s government also announced a $200 million reconstruction fund and urged with businesses to provide heavy equipment to accelerate search-and-rescue operations.