AGENCIES

The United Nations on Saturday estimated that the twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela caused $6.7 billion in physical damage, equivalent to six percent of GDP.

The preliminary assessment is based on seismic modelling, satellite imagery and population data. It accounts for losses to assets including housing but does not cover wider economic disruption from Wednesday’s disaster, the UN Development Programme said in a statement.

UNDP said that the back-to-back quakes hit major population and economic centres near Venezuela’s northern coast, including the capital Caracas and the states of La Guaira, Carabobo, Miranda, Yaracuy and

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