This Monday, the Venezuelan government revised the official death toll from the June 24 earthquakes to 3,535, as announced by Jorge Rodríguez, president of the National Assembly, on his X account.
The updated figure marks an increase of 193 fatalities compared to the previous report, which had been released hours earlier and placed the death toll at 3,342.
The official report also accounts for 16,740 injured individuals, 6,462 people rescued alive, and 17,854 who lost their homes due to the tremors.
Increasing Material Damage
Material damage continues to rise. According to the report, 856 buildings have been affected and 190 have completely collapsed. Additionally, since the main earthquake, there have been 1,048 aftershocks recorded.
Extensive Relief Efforts
Response operations are in full swing. The government stated that 4,338 international rescuers, along with 29,567 personnel and 27,930 volunteers, are involved in the efforts. Furthermore, 9,603 tons of food and over eight million liters of water have been distributed among the affected population.
The two earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude, struck the Morón area in Carabobo state and Venezuela's central coast just 39 seconds apart. The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) has identified this as the most severe seismic disaster in the country in over a century.
Rising Casualty Numbers
Since the initial hours following the catastrophe, the official victim count has steadily increased. Initially, authorities reported 32 fatalities, which later rose to 164, then 920, 1,719, 2,295, 2,645, 2,954, 3,342, and now 3,535.
Despite these figures, international organizations believe the eventual impact could be significantly higher. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) estimated a 42% chance that the death toll could reach between 10,000 and 100,000, while the United Nations has warned that tens of thousands remain missing.
Additionally, the United States concluded its search and rescue operations in Venezuela on Monday, signaling the start of the transition to recovery and aid for the survivors.
The UN estimates that approximately 6.76 million Venezuelans have been affected by the earthquakes, including nearly two million residents of Caracas, making this tragedy one of the most severe natural disasters in recent South American history.
Frequently Asked Questions About Venezuela's Earthquake Crisis
How many people have been affected by the earthquakes in Venezuela?
According to the United Nations, around 6.76 million Venezuelans have been affected, including about two million people in Caracas.
What are the current estimates for the number of people missing?
International organizations, including the United Nations, have indicated that tens of thousands of people remain missing following the earthquakes.
What magnitude were the earthquakes that struck Venezuela?
The earthquakes measured 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude, hitting the Morón area and the central coast of Venezuela.
What has been the international response to the disaster?
More than 4,338 international rescuers have participated in relief efforts, alongside tens of thousands of local personnel and volunteers.