Venezuela earthquake death toll climbs to 3,535, over 16,700 injured
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
The death toll from the twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela on 24 June has climbed to 3,535, with 16,740 people injured, according to an update from National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez. The figures mark a grim escalation in one of the deadliest seismic disasters in Latin America in recent years.
Scale of the Destruction
Beyond the confirmed fatalities, 17,854 people remain homeless, while an earlier official report placed the number of displaced persons at 17,345, according to Rodriguez, who also heads the command centre overseeing the creation of temporary camps. The number of people rescued stands at 6,462, and 86,794 families have so far received assistance.
Since the magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 earthquakes struck on 24 June, Venezuela has recorded 995 aftershocks through Sunday, compounding the trauma for survivors still in affected zones. Authorities warn that tens of thousands remain unaccounted for.
Relief Operations on the Ground
A total of 29,567 rescuers remain deployed in search-and-rescue operations, including 3,281 personnel from abroad. Authorities have established 80 temporary camps to shelter displaced and affected residents across impacted regions.
This is the largest relief mobilisation Venezuela has seen in decades, and the scale of international participation underscores the severity of the disaster.
National Mourning Declared
Venezuela's acting president Delcy Rodriguez on Wednesday declared seven days of national mourning 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.
'Venezuela's soul is torn by the human losses caused by the devastating earthquakes,' she added, saying the government reaffirms its 'commitment to accompany and protect' those suffering from the tragedy.
India's Operation Amistad
Indian medical teams are actively providing humanitarian support to earthquake survivors in Venezuela under 'Operation Amistad', launched by India in response to the disaster. The Indian Army's Field Hospital has been treating the injured, and survivors and their families have publicly expressed gratitude for the care being extended.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) shared videos on X of people praising the Indian medical team. Among those expressing thanks was a woman whose son was receiving treatment at the Army Field Hospital. Operation Amistad reflects India's broader humanitarian outreach in the region at a moment of acute crisis.
What Comes Next
With tens of thousands still missing and aftershock activity continuing, the humanitarian situation in Venezuela remains critical. International rescue teams are expected to remain deployed as authorities work to finalise casualty figures and accelerate the construction of permanent relief infrastructure for displaced families.