News
SAD! 164 killed, 1,000 Injured In Venezuela
- /home/naijuinz/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 27
https://naijablitznews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/6a3cfe378e88a.image_.jpg&description=SAD! 164 killed, 1,000 Injured In Venezuela', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
- Share
- Tweet /home/naijuinz/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 72
https://naijablitznews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/6a3cfe378e88a.image_.jpg&description=SAD! 164 killed, 1,000 Injured In Venezuela', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
A twin earthquake that was Venezuela’s largest in over a century has killed at least 164 people and destroyed multiple buildings near the capital, where residents searched Thursday for missing relatives.
Venezuela’s strongest earthquake since 1900 sent rescuers and locals clambering in the dark over flattened apartments, hunting for survivors and extracting people from under the ruins.
France, Spain and the US offered to urgently send rescuers after the magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 quakes the United States Geological Survey (USGS) said struck areas west of the capital on Wednesday evening.
The toll has climbed quickly, with interim president Delcy Rodriguez reporting at least 164 dead and over 970 hurt and noting the state of La Guaira north of Caracas was hit hard.
“We have nothing, right now we have nothing, not even the strength or the courage to go in there, just imagine,” Larry Rojas, 49, told AFP, standing in front of a collapsed building where his family was trapped in the La Guaira city of Catia La Mar.
The coastal city was without electricity, and many residents spent the night in the streets or searching for their relatives, according to AFP reporters.
The 7.5-magnitude earthquake was Venezuela’s most powerful since October 29, 1900, when a 7.7-magnitude tremor struck offshore.
After Wednesday’s shock, some residential buildings showed large cracks and fallen walls, with dozens of others destroyed, according to AFP reporters.
“There are people alive in there and no-one is coming to save them,” said a woman waiting for news of her daughter, who was buried in a ruined 12-story building.
France said it would send 85 rescuers and Spain pledged 54 army searchers as nations including China, India, Brazil and the United States also offered help.
Washington was “immediately deploying search and rescue teams, medical resources, and humanitarian assistance to Venezuela,” US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Thursday.
Earthquake hits Iranian capital Tehran
The first quake, with an epicenter 21 kilometers (13 miles) west of the coastal town of Moron, occurred at 2204 GMT, USGS said. Within a minute, a 7.5-magnitude quake struck about 45 kilometers away.
“This earthquake was the second event in a doublet. This magnitude 7.5 mainshock was preceded by 39 seconds by a 7.2 foreshock,” USGS said.
Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello asked people to leave their homes, adding that gas supplies had been cut to several buildings as a precaution.
“We have some damaged structures and we don’t want any kind of accident involving gas to occur,” he said.
The Maiquetia International Airport, located near Caracas, was closed due to “serious damage” to its infrastructure, Rodriguez said, with social media posts showing its severely damaged facilities.
The quakes triggered panic in the capital and drove people into the streets, AFP journalists saw.
“The stairs came away, the whole wall cracked. Things fell from the ceiling. It was horrible,” said 54-year-old bank employee Odalis Escalona.
An AFP journalist saw a 22-story building completely destroyed in the capital’s Altamira neighborhood, where people cried out relatives’ names as volunteers climbed over the rubble.
“We need flashlights,” one of them said.
The tremors struck at a depth of 22 kilometers and 10 kilometers, respectively.
They prompted screams of panic at a shopping center in Caracas, an AFP journalist observed.
“It was unbelievable, I don’t even know how long it lasted,” said shopkeeper Heidi Romero, who was on the top floor when the quake struck.
“We went out through the emergency stairs; that’s how they got us out,” the 42-year-old told AFP.
Many more in the capital exited buildings and waited outside before returning to their offices and homes.
Carmen Guedez, 69, was in the same room as her bedridden sister when she felt the jolt.
“It kept getting stronger,” said the administrator, who lives in a hilly middle-class neighborhood above the capital. “I started to see the windows begin to move and then everything shook.”
She described how she “huddled together” with her sister and a neighbor, adding that “we couldn’t get out. The neighbors are still out on the street.”
The states of Trujillo, Carabobo, Miranda and La Guaira were the hardest hit, according to Cabello.
The quake was felt as far away as the Colombian capital of Bogota, where alarms sounded and some residents evacuated buildings as a precaution.
Freddy Tovar, coordinator of Colombia’s National Seismological Network, said they had received more than 200 reports of tremors nationwide.
“The conditions of this seismic event mean that some aftershocks may occur, which could also be widely felt across Colombian territory,” he said in a video posted on X.
The strongest tremors in earthquake-prone Venezuela’s recent history occurred in the northeast in 1997, killing 73 people, and in Caracas in 1967, when 236 people died.
AFP
News
Davido vows not to apologize posting Okpebolo’s ‘fine’ WAEC results
Afrobeats singer David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has explained why he would not apologise to Edo Governor, Monday Okpebholo, over his social media post displaying the governor’s alleged West African Examinations Council result.
According to him, he did nothing wrong by sharing the result, insisting that he was only informing Edo residents about what he described as their governor’s academic record.
The singer stated this in an exclusive interview with News Central on Tuesday in Osun.
He said, “I’m not going to apologise. I didn’t do anything wrong. I was just telling people of the state the results their governor has.”
The controversy followed comments by Okpebholo during political activities ahead of the August 15 Osun State governorship election, in which he criticised Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke.
Okpebholo had mocked Adeleke over his dancing, questioning his leadership style while campaigning for the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, popularly known as AMBO.
He said, “Before somebody signs paper, he will dance. Are you not tired? For four years, this man has been dancing. Before he takes breakfast, before he drinks tea, he will dance.”
In response, Davido, who is Adeleke’s nephew and had actively campaigned for his uncle, shared what appeared to be Okpebholo’s WAEC result on his Instagram Story on Friday.
The post, which had no caption, generated reactions on social media, with a commentator, Tugbiyele, describing the publication as inappropriate and disrespectful and calling on Davido to apologise.
However, reacting to the call, Davido defended his action and criticised Okpebholo for travelling to Osun to comment on his uncle.
He said, “Yes, and you came, you left your state, you came to another state. You came in and then started talking that my uncle is a dancer; he is not serious.
“The road to your Government House is not done. My uncle is not serious. First of all, you were not even elected; you were selected.”
Davido further questioned Okpebholo’s understanding of electoral victory, saying, “You don’t know what it means to win an election. That’s why you could go there and talk.”
The singer also criticised the governor over his comments about Adeleke and said he sympathised with Okpebholo’s children.
He said, “I feel so bad for his kids. Because you see what my dad is doing. Do you understand? Yeah, you’re abusing a sitting governor in his own state.”
Davido also mocked Okpebholo over his alleged stay in a hotel, saying, “A whole governor staying in a hotel, walking around like…”
He warned the Edo governor that Adeleke would respond politically when the time came.
He said, “In fact, finish your three years, we’ll visit you when it’s time for you to get re-elected.”
Tugbiyele, in a video originally posted on Facebook, had appealed to Davido to apologise to Okpebholo, arguing that the singer should not have personally responded to the governor’s comments about Adeleke.
He said, “I watched a video when Governor Okpebholo called the governor of my state, Adeleke, the dancing governor. And the governor’s relation, David Adeleke, replied by publishing the WAEC Secondary School leaving result of Governor Okpebholo, the governor of Edo State.”
Tugbiyele said that although the alleged result might not have been impressive, it should not have been used to ridicule the governor.
He said, “The result is not good enough, but it’s possible. The governor did a resit. We are not aware of that, but I think Davido, David Adeleke’s publication is inappropriate.”
He argued that Adeleke could have responded to his Edo counterpart through official channels rather than allowing Davido to engage in the exchange.
Tugbiyele concluded with a direct appeal to Davido, saying, “Davido, David Adeleke, please, as a proper Yoruba, please apologise to Governor Okpebholo. God bless you, David. God bless Nigeria.”
News
UK Parents Accuse Cyprus IVF Clinics Of Using Wrong Sperm, Egg Donors
At least 30 children, most of them British, are feared to have been conceived through IVF treatment in northern Cyprus using sperm or egg donors different from those selected by their parents.
The cases were uncovered by a BBC investigation involving families who say they carefully chose anonymous donors based on factors including medical history, appearance, personality, education and interests.
However, the parents later became concerned that the donors they had selected were not used during their fertility treatment.
Half of the 30 children were born following treatment at the Dogus IVF Centre, where several members of staff were involved in the care of affected patients.
The families’ concerns have raised questions about the regulation of fertility clinics in northern Cyprus, a territory recognised internationally only by Turkey and outside the European Union’s regulatory framework.
Clinics in the territory have become popular among British patients seeking IVF treatment because of lower costs, high advertised success rates and access to a wide range of sperm and egg donors.
One mother, identified as Rachel, said she was “absolutely scandalised” after discovering that the sperm donor she had selected for her treatment at Dogus may not have been used.
Rachel underwent treatment at the clinic in 2012 and selected an anonymous Danish sperm donor through Cryos International, the world’s largest sperm bank.
She said she chose the donor because his profile indicated that he would be willing for any biological children to contact him once they turned 18.
But after her son Jonah was born, Rachel became concerned that he did not resemble the donor described in the profile.
She said she repeatedly asked the clinic for medical documentation confirming that the donor’s sperm had been used, but never received the information she wanted.
Thirteen years later, DNA testing carried out by Rachel and Jonah indicated that he was biologically related to her but did not have the genetic ancestry expected from the Danish donor she had selected.
The BBC contacted Cryos International, which said it had no record of supplying sperm to Dogus for Rachel’s treatment.
The revelation has left Rachel concerned that her son may have been deprived of the opportunity to identify and contact his biological donor in the future.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if there are genetic siblings out there,” she said.
At least 11 of the 30 children identified by the BBC have undergone commercial DNA testing. The results indicate that they have genetic ancestry from Turkey or surrounding regions, raising further questions about whether the donors selected by their parents were used.
Most of the children who have taken DNA tests were conceived through IVF at Dogus between 2012 and 2024.
Fertility experts consulted by the BBC said the number of cases was highly unusual.
The British Fertility Society said the apparent use of incorrect donors on multiple occasions could indicate “negligence” or “deception” and suggested that the issue could reflect a systemic problem rather than the actions of a single doctor or clinic.
Several staff members have been linked to the cases at Dogus.
Dr Sevket Alpturk, the clinic’s owner and responsible manager, treated the parents of six children whose families have told the BBC they suspect the wrong donors were used.
The BBC approached Alpturk with the allegations, but he did not respond.
Dr Firdevs Uguz Tip treated nine of the other children linked to Dogus. She has denied misleading patients and said Alpturk was responsible for signing off procedures at the clinic.
Firdevs later worked at other clinics, including Miracle IVF, which she currently runs. Nine additional cases identified by the BBC involved patients treated by her after she left Dogus in 2015.
She said her clinic has complied with the law and that patients sign consent forms explaining how donors are selected.
However, several parents told the BBC they were not properly informed about the donor arrangements.
Patient co-ordinator Julie Hodson, who was a main point of contact for many British patients at Dogus, has also been linked to several of the cases.
Emails seen by the BBC show Hodson telling patients that Firdevs would arrange orders for sperm from Cryos.
Firdevs disputes this, saying the procurement of sperm was not part of her responsibilities and that she did not know patients were being told otherwise.
The BBC contacted Hodson about the allegations, including claims that she failed to place or pass on donor requests, but she did not respond.
Cryos International said it was shocked by the number of families who could have been affected.
The sperm bank told the BBC that it had blacklisted Dogus in 2016 after concerns that the clinic had failed to order Cryos sperm for a patient despite telling the patient that it would.
Cryos has since suspended its relationship with Firdevs and Miracle IVF while an investigation by the northern Cyprus authorities continues.
The territory’s Ministry of Health said earlier this year that it had launched an official investigation into the allegations. However, the ministry has not responded to repeated requests from the BBC for an update.
Firdevs has said she was cleared of breaking any laws, although the BBC has been unable to independently verify that claim with the Ministry of Health.
The UK Foreign Office has also updated its travel advice, warning that fertility treatment in northern Cyprus carries risks because of the lack of regulation and advising people seeking treatment there to conduct thorough research.
The allegations have left affected families facing uncertainty over their children’s biological origins and potential genetic medical histories.
Laura Bridgens, founder of Donor Conceived UK, described the reports as deeply troubling and said donor-conceived people have a fundamental right to know the truth about their origins.
For families such as Rachel’s, the issue goes beyond the circumstances of their children’s conception.
Rachel said she loves her son and that the discovery does not change their relationship, but she remains upset that Jonah may have lost the opportunity to know his biological donor.
“Even so, what happened is not OK,” she said. “It’s a huge deal and could have been absolutely traumatising for him.”
The investigation has raised questions about how many other families could have been affected and whether authorities will be able to establish how the alleged donor mix-ups occurred.
News
Pastor queries Tonto Dikeh for setting up church
Nigerian pastor, Pastor Andrew Emajere of COGA Ministries has questioned former Nollywood actress and evangelist Tonto Dikeh’s decision to establish a new prayer ministry in Abuja.
The pastor raised concerns about the growing number of people venturing into christian ministry, questioning the process through which individuals become church leaders.
Reacting to Tonto Dikeh’s new prayer ministry, Emajere asked, “What does Tonto Dikeh know in the spiritual world that convinced her to open a prayer ministry? She built a church worth of 300 million, how did we arrive here?”
He argued that there should be stricter screening for people who want to establish churches.
“If I become president, before you can open a church you must pass through screening. Christianity has now turned [into] something else.”
Emajere also compared the situation with Islam, questioning whether similar developments would be accepted within the religion.
“Have you seen a woman open mosque and call herself a female Imam or Alfa? People don’t take Christianity serious in this country,” he said.
The pastor further questioned Tonto Dikeh’s transition from entertainment to Christian ministry, asking.
“Which day did she repent in Pastor Jerry Eze’s church that she is already a General Overseer? How did we arrive here?”
He also expressed concern about the role of public figures in Christian ministry.
“A woman that has not handled her kitchen duties finish, you went ahead to put them in Christianity, why won’t confusion come in?” He asked.
-
News16 hours agoMaitama Flood: Wike Orders Demolition of Houses Blocking Water Channels(Photos)
-
Foreign22 hours agoSad: Venezuela earthquake death toll hits 6,438
-
News22 hours ago(Analysis)Abuja Flooding Did Not Start Today: FCT Must Move Beyond Political Blame
-
News15 hours ago2027 Presidential election will be easiest for Tinubu, Wike declares
-
Politics22 hours agoLamentations after defeat: APC says Adeleke was taken for granted as in-house war aided his victory
-
News12 hours agoAdeleke Denies Deal With ADC Over Osun Governorship Election Victory
-
News12 hours agoFinally, Bayelsa Assembly endorses removal of Sagbama Chairman, Vice over gross misconduct
-
News13 hours agoFlooding: Demolition Begins in Maitama as Wike Moves Against Waterway Obstructions
