Sagunto holds minute of silence for Venezuela earthquake victims
Sagunto City Council members, municipal staff and residents gathered outside City Hall on 29 June to express solidarity with the victims of the earthquakes that struck Venezuela on 24 June.
The event was organised at the initiative of the FVMP (Federació Valenciana de Municipis i Províncies — the Valencian federation of local governments, part of a national network of 7,412 Spanish municipalities), which called on towns across the region to join the tribute. The act of mourning follows two earthquakes that hit on 24 June: a magnitude-7.2 tremor and a magnitude-7.5 tremor, both with epicentres near San Felipe in Yaracuy state, Venezuela. Provisional figures point to at least 1,450 deaths, more than 3,150 injuries and over 46,600 people reported missing; more than 1,400 buildings were destroyed in La Guaira alone. The UN estimated material damage at between $4.7 billion and $8.7 billion, equivalent to 4–8% of Venezuela's GDP.
Alongside council members, municipal employees, local groups and associations took part in the gathering. Sagunto has a sizeable Latin American community, giving the gesture particular resonance for many residents. According to Sagunto City Council.