Malaysia Extends Condolences To Venezuela After Devastating Twin Earthquakes

KUALA LUMPUR, June 26 (NNN) -- Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Thursday extended Malaysia’s deepest condolences to the people of Venezuela following the devastating twin earthquakes that recently struck the northern part of the country.

Describing the disaster as among the strongest to hit Venezuela in more than a century, Anwar said the full toll of the tragedy is not yet known.

“My thoughts are with every family now in mourning, and with those still waiting for word of loved ones trapped beneath the rubble," he posted on Facebook today.

Anwar further expressed Malaysia’s complete confidence in the bravery and resilience of Venezuela's rescue personnel as they race against time in the coming days.

“We trust that the support now being mobilised from across the international community will bring some measure of relief to those who need it most,” he said.

Venezuela was struck on Wednesday evening by two back-to-back quakes – the second of which, at magnitude 7.5, is the country's biggest earthquake in more than a century.

The death toll has gone past 200 as of Friday and this is expected to further rise, while rescue operations are ongoing.

According to international news agency reports, rescue operations are actively underway in northern Venezuela, with emergency teams navigating heavily collapsed structures and debris to locate survivors.

-- NNN-BERNAMA