Venezuela: Death Toll from Double Earthquake Rises to 6509

07:52

Two months after the powerful tremors struck the Venezuelan coast, search efforts continue in the affected areas. The interim government now reports a total of 6509 deaths, an increase of 71 victims compared to the previous official toll.

The tragedy continues to reveal its magnitude in Venezuela. According to the new toll announced on Monday by the interim government, 6509 people have lost their lives in the double earthquake that hit the country on June 24. The previous count, published on August 17, reported 6438 deaths.

This new increase comes as search operations are still ongoing. In La Guaira, in the state of the same name, volunteer rescuers and relatives of victims continue to explore the ruins in search of missing persons.

Tremors of Exceptional Power

The two earthquakes, measured at 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude, struck the Venezuelan coast on June 24. The tremors particularly affected the state of La Guaira, located north of Caracas, where the destruction has been considerable.

At least 190 buildings have collapsed as a result of the earthquakes. Several areas remain marked by the consequences of the disaster, while debris removal and victim identification operations continue.

Search Efforts Continue Two Months After the Disaster

The time elapsed since the first tremors has not halted operations on the ground. Volunteers and members of bereaved families are still participating in the search efforts in the destroyed buildings of La Guaira.

This mobilization illustrates the difficulty faced by authorities in finalizing the human toll of the disaster. Each new operation in the rubble can indeed lead to the discovery of new bodies, altering the official victim count.

A Toll Still Likely to Change

With 71 additional deaths reported in one week, the toll remains particularly heavy and could still change as long as the search efforts are not completed.

The disaster thus leaves behind a country facing a long recovery phase. Beyond the number of victims, the collapse of dozens of buildings also raises questions about the reconstruction of the most severely affected coastal areas.