Venezuela earthquake death toll climbs to 2,645

CARACAS: The death toll from last month’s devastating earthquakes in northern Venezuela has climbed to 2,645, while 12,666 people have been injured, as emergency teams continue large-scale rescue and recovery operations across the affected region.

According to Venezuela’s Ministry of Communication and Information, thousands of rescuers remain on the ground searching for survivors, assisting displaced families and clearing damaged infrastructure following the twin earthquakes that struck on June 24.

Officials said that 6,462 people have been rescued since the disaster, while humanitarian assistance has reached more than 86,000 families affected by the powerful tremors.

The government also reported widespread destruction, with 885 buildings damaged and 189 structures completely collapsing, leaving thousands without homes and forcing many residents into temporary shelters.

To support relief efforts, more than 3,300 international rescue workers have joined local emergency teams. Venezuelan authorities have also deployed nearly 30,000 military personnel, rescue workers and volunteers to assist with search operations, medical care and the distribution of food, water and emergency supplies.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the disaster began when two powerful earthquakes measuring 7.5 and 7.2 magnitude struck just 39 seconds apart in Venezuela’s Yaracuy state. The stronger quake was centered about 23 kilometers southeast of Yumare, while the second struck 23.9 kilometers northeast of San Felipe.

Since the initial disaster, authorities have recorded 890 aftershocks, complicating rescue operations and increasing concerns about the structural safety of already weakened buildings.

Emergency officials say search-and-rescue missions remain active in the hardest-hit communities, although hopes of finding more survivors continue to fade as time passes.

Humanitarian organizations are also focusing on providing shelter, healthcare and psychological support to affected families while engineers assess damaged infrastructure.

The twin earthquakes rank among the deadliest natural disasters to hit Venezuela in recent decades. As recovery efforts continue, the government and international aid agencies are working together to restore essential services and support communities struggling to rebuild their lives after the catastrophic disaster.