Venezuela: Death toll from double earthquake rises to 6,438

07:53

The human toll from the double earthquake that struck Venezuela on June 24 continues to rise. Nearly two months after the disaster, authorities now report 6,438 deaths, up from 6,301 in the previous update released on August 10.

The new figure was announced on Monday by the President of the Parliament, Jorge Rodriguez, as search operations continue in several affected areas. Rescuers and relatives are still searching for any potential victims who may still be trapped under the rubble.

A Heavy Material Toll

The two tremors, measuring 7.2 and 7.5, hit the Venezuelan coast on June 24, causing particularly significant damage in the state of La Guaira, north of Caracas.

According to authorities, at least 190 buildings have collapsed due to the earthquakes. Those whose bodies have not yet been found are considered missing. However, the government has not provided an official count of the total number of missing persons.

The extent of the damage also extends to residential areas. Of nearly 60,000 affected homes, more than 24,000 are now considered uninhabitable.

Thousands of Displaced People Still in Camps

The disaster has forced thousands of people to leave their homes and seek refuge in temporary facilities.

Living conditions remain difficult in several of these camps. Heavy rainfall that occurred from Saturday night to Sunday has destroyed tents occupied by disaster victims in some areas of Caracas, worsening their situation.

In response to the urgent need for housing, the interim government led by Delcy Rodriguez has announced the provision of homes for affected families.

However, the pace of resettlement remains below the announced targets. 335 homes have been allocated to date, while authorities had promised to make 4,000 available by the end of the year.

Search Operations Continue

As reconstruction gradually begins in some areas, search operations remain at the core of the efforts made following the disaster.

The rising death toll, several weeks after the tremors, reflects the difficulty of operations conducted in the destroyed buildings. It also highlights the scale of a disaster that has profoundly affected the infrastructure and populations of the Venezuelan coast.

Authorities now face a dual challenge: to continue search efforts in areas that are still accessible and to meet the needs of tens of thousands of people whose homes have been damaged or rendered uninhabitable.