Scenes of destruction after deadly earthquakes in Venezuela – visual guide

0:11 Earthquakes rock Venezuela – video Scenes of destruction after deadly earthquakes in Venezuela – visual guide Rescue efforts under way after buildings reduced to rubble in capital and along northern coast Hundreds of people are feared to have died and thousands have been injured in Venezuela’s largest earthquake in more than a century. Two earthquakes of magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 hit 39 seconds apart near the town of Morón. View image in fullscreen Residents and rescue workers search through the rubble of a collapsed building in Caracas. Photograph: Ariana Cubillos/AP The acting president, Delcy Rodríguez,said much of the worst damage recorded so far was in the capital, Caracas, about 100 miles to the east of the epicentre, and along the northern coast. “We send our immediate condolences to those who have lost relatives,” she said. Here are the areas that have been worst hit so far. Earthquake map La Guaira View image in fullscreen A woman stands near a damaged building in La Guaira. Photograph: Pedro Mattey/AP The coastal area surrounding the capital’s airport, about a 45-minute drive to the north-east of the city, is also where Donald Trump’s attack on the country began on 3 January, when US helicopters led a raid to kidnap the president, Nicolás Maduro. Levelled buildings in Venezuela’s La Guaira – video graphic of previous earthquakes The airport itself was shaken hard by the quake, with roof sections collapsing on fleeing travellers, and authorities closed it immediately after it sustained “severe damage”, Rodríguez said. Metro and train systems were also halted. Rodríguez said authorities were shifting rescue teams from other parts of the country to La Guaira. Passengers at Maiquetía airport seek cover from falling debris Just west of La Guaira is the seaside town of Catia La Mar, where reports indicated that a dozen or more big buildings including seafront hotels and residential condominiums had collapsed. The Playa Grande neighbourhood was particularly badly hit. View image in fullscreen Damaged homes in Catia La Mar. Photograph: Federico Parra/AFP/Getty Images “Dozens of buildings have collapsed there … and we are currently carrying out intensive rescue operations to save lives,” Rodríguez said. View image in fullscreen Damaged residential buildings in Catia la Mar. Photograph: Ronald Peña R/EPA Altamira and Los Palos Grandes In central Caracas, the neighbourhoods of Altamira and Los Palos Grandes are home to various foreign embassies and upmarket residences, including one where Rodríguez’s family lives. View image in fullscreen A collapsed building in the Altamira neighbourhood. Photograph: Federico Parra/AFP/Getty Images A Guardian reporter saw at least three buildings that had collapsed in Altamira. Some people were reportedly trapped under the rubble. Outside one building, a person was seen weeping and calling out for his grandmother who he feared was inside. Nearby, rescue workers and volunteers searched for survivors. View image i