Caracas hit by power, water outages after devastating earthquake

Residents of Venezuela's capital have reported disruptions to electricity and water services following the powerful earthquake that struck the country.

Maria, a resident of one of Caracas' central districts, said many people remained outdoors as authorities continued to assess the impact of the tremor, Caliber.Az reports, citing Russian media.

“Everyone is out on the streets. Some areas are without electricity. There is no water,” she said.

At least 164 people have been killed and 971 injured after Venezuela’s most powerful earthquake in more than a century, according to the country’s acting President Delcy Rodriguez. The 7.5 magnitude quake struck 39 seconds after a 7.2 magnitude foreshock. 

A resident who survived a quake that hit Caracas in 1967 said the disaster was unlike anything he had experienced. Another resident who escaped a damaged building said “the scene was like a horror movie.”

It comes at a dire time for Venezuela, which is deep in a political and financial crisis. Rodriguez said she is coordinating with the International Monetary Fund to create an initial assistance fund of $200 million.

By Vafa Guliyeva