TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – The death toll has reached at least 188 people, and about 1,500 are confirmed injured after two massive earthquakes struck Venezuela on Wednesday evening.
Both numbers are expected to rise as rescue crews search through the rubble of hundreds of collapsed buildings.
For Venezuelan natives in Tallahassee, some are desperately trying to reach family and friends back in Caracas.
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Kristellys Estanga said her family is okay, but her heart still breaks.
“The people who live in the U.S. that come from Venezuela are always daily hoping that Venezuela gets a break from many things. And it’s just really devastating to see that it just keeps, the world keeps pounding on our country,” she said. “It’s going to be a really dark time for Venezuela. But there is nothing that we know but to rebuild and to power through.”
Estanga said she is still reaching out to friends and extended family to make sure they’re alright.
As the dust clears from the tragedy, efforts to help our now underway. In South Florida, some groups are rallying to collect supplies to send to Venezuela.
WCTV will share more details on verified fundraising efforts as we get them.
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