More than 58,000 buildings were likely damaged or destroyed in last week's devastating twin earthquakes in Venezuela, according to a preliminary assessment based on satellite data released by the US space agency NASA, reports AFP.
The magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 earthquakes killed about 1,700 people and left thousands missing in the deadliest disaster to hit the South American country in more than a century.
"Approximately 58,870 buildings were likely damaged or destroyed across the affected region," researchers Corey Scher and Jamon Van Den Hoek of Oregon State University said, citing satellite radar data collected on June 25, the day after the earthquakes.
The assessment was based on high-resolution radar imagery from the European Space Agency's Sentinel-1 satellite.
"This is a preliminary, rapid assessment. It reflects abrupt surface change consistent with damage," the researchers said, adding that the findings were an indicator only and had not yet been verified on the ground.
On Monday, National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez said 855 buildings had been confirmed damaged, including 189 that had completely collapsed.
NASA said its satellites were "providing critical support, capturing imagery and data to help teams on the ground assess impacts and guide response efforts."
Bd-Pratidin Online/ Jisan
