A mother in Venezuela has died after shielding her daughter during the earthquake that struck the country's northern coast on Tuesday, British aid workers confirmed. The 6.2 magnitude tremor, centred near the city of Cumaná, has left at least 400 people injured, with British medical teams among those providing emergency care.
The victim, identified by local officials as María González, 34, was killed by falling debris as she covered her 6-year-old child, who survived with minor injuries. The earthquake caused widespread damage to infrastructure, collapsing several buildings in the Sucre state capital and triggering landslides in rural areas.
British aid workers, deployed through the Foreign Office's Rapid Response Team, have established a field hospital in Cumaná's central square. They are treating a range of injuries from fractures to crush wounds. Dr. James Henderson, a surgeon with the team, described the scene as 'chaotic but manageable', noting that the death toll remains unclear as rescue workers search rubble for survivors.
The British government has pledged £500,000 in emergency assistance, including shelter materials and water purification tablets. The UK Ambassador to Venezuela, Tom Carter, expressed condolences to the González family and commended the 'courageous act' of the mother. 'Our thoughts are with the victims of this tragedy,' he said in a statement.
The earthquake, which struck at 11:47 a.m. local time, was felt as far away as Caracas, 250 miles to the west. Seismologists have recorded over 20 aftershocks, complicating rescue efforts. The Venezuelan government has declared a state of emergency in three affected states, mobilising military personnel to assist.
This is a developing story. More details will follow as information becomes available.
