AS news of the earthquake in Venezuela spread across Trinidad and Tobago on Wednesday, many Venezuelans living in Trinidad spent hours trying to contact relatives and friends back home.

Two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela within seconds of each other. The first measured magnitude 7.2, while the second, measuring 7.5, struck in a similar location just 38 seconds later. At least 188 people have been confirmed dead as rescue efforts continue.

Venezuelan Alejandro Silva, originally from Guiria, who has been living in Trinidad for the past five years, responded to the disaster in an interview with the Express.