Venezuela earthquake death toll climbs to 3,685 after June 24 twin quakes
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
The death toll from the devastating Venezuela earthquakes has risen to 3,685, with 16,740 others injured, according to an official update released by Venezuelan National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez on 8 July. The twin earthquakes of magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 struck Venezuela on 24 June, triggering one of the deadliest seismic disasters in the country's recent history.
Scale of Destruction
A total of 17,907 people have been left homeless, according to the update shared on Rodriguez's Telegram channel. An earlier official report also indicated that 17,345 people were displaced. Authorities have warned that tens of thousands remain missing, underlining the full scale of the catastrophe is yet to be determined.
Since the initial twin strikes, Venezuela has recorded 1,076 aftershocks, compounding the humanitarian crisis and hampering rescue operations across affected regions.
Rescue Operations and Relief Camps
As of the latest update, 29,567 rescuers remain deployed to search for survivors, including 3,281 personnel from abroad. Authorities have established 80 temporary camps to shelter and assist displaced and affected residents. The scale of the international response reflects the severity of the disaster, with foreign teams working alongside Venezuelan emergency services.
National Mourning Declared
Venezuela's acting president Delcy Rodriguez declared seven days of national mourning last week in tribute to the victims. “In honour of the memory of the victims, I have decided to decree National Mourning for seven (7) days, starting at 6:00 p.m. today,” Rodriguez said in a statement posted on social media.
She added: “In these moments of profound sadness, we embrace those who suffer from this tragedy and reaffirm our commitment to accompany and protect them.” Rodriguez further stated, “Venezuela's soul is torn by the human losses caused by the devastating earthquakes.”
India's Humanitarian Mission
Indian medical teams are currently providing humanitarian support to earthquake survivors in Venezuela under Operation Amistad. The Indian Army's Field Hospital has been operational in the country, with survivors and their families expressing gratitude for the medical care being extended. This marks a significant bilateral gesture, with India deploying resources to a Latin American nation amid one of its gravest natural disasters in decades.
With rescue operations still ongoing and the missing persons count unresolved, the final toll from the 24 June Venezuela earthquakes is expected to rise further in the days ahead.