Venezuela detains police officers accused of looting after earthquake

Venezuelan authorities have detained four police officers accused of looting property from buildings that collapsed during last week’s powerful earthquakes, as reports of widespread theft emerged in affected areas.

According to Europa Press, the officers are suspected of misappropriating items recovered from the rubble in La Guaira state. They have been dismissed from service and will face legal proceedings.

Earlier, local newspaper El Nacional reported numerous instances of looting in the same region.

The earthquakes struck Venezuela on the evening of June 24, with two sets of tremors occurring about 40 seconds apart and registering magnitudes between 7.2 and 7.5. The epicentres were located approximately 10 km apart in Yaracuy state.

According to the latest official figures, the disaster has claimed 1,943 lives and left 10,571 people injured. A further 28,380 victims are receiving medical treatment in hospitals and field camps.

By Tamilla Hasanova