Venezuela earthquake death toll climbs to 5,069 after June 24 quakes
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
The death toll from the June 24 earthquakes in Venezuela has risen to 5,069, according to an official update released on Friday, 18 July by National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez. The figure marks a grim milestone as the country continues its recovery from twin tremors that struck more than three weeks ago.
Scale of the Disaster
The official update confirmed that 16,740 people remain injured, while 6,462 individuals have been rescued since the disaster struck. A total of 21,235 survivors are currently sheltering across 107 temporary camps established in Caracas and the central states of La Guaira, Miranda, and Aragua.
Since the 7.2- and 7.5-magnitude earthquakes struck, authorities have recorded 1,331 aftershocks, compounding the trauma for displaced communities and complicating rescue and relief operations.
Where the Crisis Is Most Acute
The coastal state of La Guaira — where the two quakes caused the heaviest damage — accounts for the largest share of displaced persons, with 10,981 people in shelters. Caracas is hosting 6,133 displaced residents, while the state of Miranda has 1,323 in temporary accommodation.
This comes amid a broader humanitarian strain on Venezuela, a country already grappling with years of economic crisis and infrastructure deficits that have made the disaster response significantly more challenging.
International Aid and Government Response
Venezuela's acting President Delcy Rodriguez expressed gratitude for humanitarian assistance provided by 28 countries, following an inspection of a collection centre in Caracas where more than 2,000 tonnes of international aid is being sorted for distribution to relief camps.
'Venezuela never tires of thanking the countries, the peoples of the world, and the governments of the world that have offered a helping hand,' Rodriguez said. She added that each contributing country would be able to track how its aid is being utilised — a transparency pledge aimed at sustaining international goodwill.
Rodriguez also struck a forward-looking tone, stating: 'The most important thing is to look to the future, how we are going to recover, how we are going to rebuild the affected areas.'
What Comes Next
With over 21,000 people still in temporary camps and aftershocks continuing, the immediate priority remains shelter stability and medical support. The scale of reconstruction needed — particularly in La Guaira — is expected to require sustained international engagement well beyond the current emergency phase. Officials have not yet announced a timeline for rebuilding efforts.