Key facts
- The death toll from two earthquakes in northern Venezuela has risen to 1,943.
- Over 10,571 people have been injured and 28,380 are receiving care.
- The earthquakes occurred on June 24, with a significant aftershock on Friday.
- Approximately 1.8 million people, including 680,000 children, need humanitarian aid.
- The estimated direct physical damage from the tremors is $6.7 billion.
- More than 3,600 international rescuers have joined the search efforts.
The death toll from two devastating earthquakes that struck northern Venezuela last week has risen to 1,943, authorities confirmed on Tuesday. The back-to-back 7.2- and 7.5-magnitude tremors, which hit on the evening of June 24, caused widespread destruction and left tens of thousands missing. A strong aftershock on Friday further rattled the region.
Authorities reported that 10,571 people have been injured and 28,380 are receiving care in hospitals or temporary camps, according to Jorge Rodríguez, president of the National Assembly. As of Tuesday, more than 6,450 people have been found alive, with an additional 13,500 having escaped on their own, according to the Venezuelan government.
UNICEF estimates that approximately 1.8 million people, including 680,000 children, require humanitarian assistance. The United Nations Development Programme has put the cost of direct physical damage at $6.7 billion.
Venezuela's acting president, Delcy Rodríguez, stated on Monday that 3,681 rescuers from 30 countries had joined the search efforts. The international community has also provided over 1,000 tons of supplies, 27 vehicles, and 118 search dogs. Emergency crews and volunteers are working to rescue those trapped under collapsed buildings, navigating unstable structures in their efforts.