Asian Leaders Express Condolences for Venezuela's Back-to-Back Earthquakes

JAKARTA - Asian leaders on Thursday expressed condolences and promised support to Venezuela after two powerful earthquakes devastated parts of the South American country.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was deeply saddened by the damage caused by the earthquake.

"On behalf of the Indian people, I extend my sincere condolences to the Government and people of Venezuela, especially to the families who lost their loved ones," Modi said, quoted by ANTARA from Anadolu, Thursday, June 25.

He also prayed for a quick recovery for the injured victims and confirmed that India was ready to provide all possible assistance to Venezuela.

The Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif, also expressed his condolences, saying he was very sad about the loss of life and extensive damage caused by the disaster.

"On behalf of the people of Pakistan, I express my deepest condolences to the Government and people of Venezuela, especially to the families of the victims," Sharif wrote on X.

He added that Pakistan stands with the people of Venezuela in facing this crisis and prays for the recovery of those injured.

Meanwhile, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. also expressed his condolences to the Venezuelan people.

"On behalf of the Filipino people, I extend my sincere condolences. The Philippines stands with the Venezuelan people in this difficult time and hopes for the safety and speedy recovery of all affected communities," Marcos said in a statement.

The interim president of Venezuela, Delcy Rodríguez, said at least 32 people were killed and about 700 others were injured in the country's deadliest earthquake in more than a century.

According to seismologists, the 7.2 magnitude pre-earthquake occurred near the municipality of San Felipe, the capital of the Yaracuy state. About 40 seconds later, a stronger earthquake with a magnitude of 7.5 shook the southeast region of Yumare.