The death toll from the devastating twin earthquakes in Venezuela has risen to 4,333, with 16,740 injured and thousands still missing. The catastrophic quakes struck on June 24 in the coastal state of La Guaira, as reported by Venezuelan parliament chief Jorge Rodríguez on Telegram.
Scale of the Earthquake Impact
The earthquakes, measuring 7.5 and 7.2 in magnitude, were the largest to hit Venezuela in over a century. The tremors flattened entire districts, including high-rise apartment blocks, leading to a massive humanitarian crisis.
Rescue operations have now transitioned to recovery, with family members searching through the rubble for their loved ones. The United Nations has called for urgent financial aid, estimating that 1.3 million people are in desperate need of assistance.
International Response and Recovery Efforts
In response to the crisis, the UN has issued an appeal for nearly $300 million to support earthquake relief operations. Mobile kitchens, clinics, and field hospitals have been established in the affected areas of La Guaira.
- 4,333 confirmed deaths
- 16,740 injured
- Thousands missing
- Urgent aid for 1.3 million people
- Estimated damage at $37 billion
Government's Position on Recovery
Venezuelan interim president Delcy Rodríguez has called for the release of frozen assets held abroad to aid in recovery efforts, including approximately 30 tons of Venezuelan gold currently frozen under UK sanctions. Despite criticism of the government's response, Rodríguez has vowed that the country will not descend into social unrest.
As the recovery effort continues, many Venezuelans express frustration over the perceived inadequacy of the government's initial response before international teams arrived.
🤖 This article was rewritten by Feed and Figures' editorial AI from a report originally published by The Guardian World. Facts and quotes are preserved from the original; the rewrite focuses on clarity and structure. For the unedited original, see the source link below.
