Venezuela restricts access to quake-hit La Guaira as rescue efforts continue

Venezuela has restricted access to the coastal state of La Guaira, the area hardest hit by this week’s powerful earthquake, as authorities seek to streamline rescue and relief operations, Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello said.

Cabello said entry to the region would be controlled and subject to registration requirements, arguing that tighter access rules were necessary to support emergency services working in the disaster zone.

“Access to the state of La Guaira is restricted,” he said in remarks broadcast on state television. He added that the measures were intended to “facilitate rescue operations” following the quake.

The earthquake struck Venezuela on the evening of June 24, killing 920 people, according to the latest official figures. Two major tremors, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude, occurred roughly 40 seconds apart, with epicentres located about 10 km apart in neighbouring Yaracuy state.

Authorities said more than 200 aftershocks have been recorded since the initial quake, complicating rescue efforts and raising concerns over further structural damage in affected areas.

By Aghakazim Guliyev