Venezuela earthquake death toll rises above 4,300 as recovery efforts continue

The number of people killed in last month’s devastating earthquakes in Venezuela has climbed to 4,333 as rescue teams continue searching through the rubble for survivors and victims. Authorities say the humanitarian crisis remains severe, with thousands of families displaced and tens of thousands of people still unaccounted for.

National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez announced the updated death toll on Saturday, a day after officials reported 4,118 fatalities. The twin earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude, struck Venezuela on June 24, causing widespread destruction in the capital Caracas and the coastal state of La Guaira.

The powerful earthquakes destroyed residential buildings, roads, and other key infrastructure. Entire apartment blocks collapsed, trapping many people beneath the debris. Rescue workers from Venezuela and several other countries have continued search and recovery operations despite the difficult conditions and the growing challenge of locating those still missing.

According to the United Nations, around 50,000 people remain unaccounted for following the disaster. While officials have not released their own updated figure for missing people, the government insists that search operations will continue. Rodriguez dismissed concerns that rescue efforts would end before all possible victims are recovered, saying authorities remain committed to searching affected areas.

Thousands of people who lost their homes are now living in temporary shelters established across the country. Stadiums, public squares, and sidewalks have been converted into emergency camps to provide accommodation for displaced families. Rodriguez said more than 19,000 people are currently staying in these temporary shelters while waiting for permanent housing.

Medical teams and volunteers continue to provide emergency healthcare, food, and other basic supplies in the affected regions. Temporary clinics have been set up in tents to treat injured residents and support communities that remain cut off from normal services.

The government estimates that around 25,000 new homes will be required to accommodate families who lost their properties in the disaster. Rodriguez said some apartments that were already under construction before the earthquakes will soon be handed over to affected families. However, he acknowledged that much greater financial resources will be needed to build enough homes, provide rental assistance, and support people seeking to buy new property.

As part of the long term recovery plan, the government has designated more than 40 plots of land in La Guaira for new housing projects. The sites cover approximately 584,000 square meters and are located on safer ground away from the coastline, where the earthquakes caused extensive structural damage. Officials said more than 180 buildings collapsed completely in the coastal region, while hundreds of others suffered serious damage.

The disaster has placed enormous pressure on Venezuela’s already struggling economy and public services. Rebuilding damaged communities is expected to take years and require significant domestic and international support.

Meanwhile, interim President Delcy Rodriguez has appealed to Britain’s King Charles III to release Venezuelan gold reserves currently held by the Bank of England. The government believes access to those assets could help finance reconstruction efforts and provide additional support for families affected by one of the country’s deadliest natural disasters in recent history.