Venezuela's death toll from two powerful earthquakes that struck on June 24 has risen to 3,535, according to reports on July 6.
Jorge Rodriguez, the President of the Venezuelan National Assembly, confirmed the updated figures, stating that the number of fatalities has reached 3,535.
The number of injured remains at 16,740, while the number of displaced individuals has reached 17,854.
The earthquakes impacted the capital city of Caracas and the coastal region of La Guaira. Rodriguez noted that 856 buildings were damaged, with 190 of them completely collapsed.
The Venezuelan government has deployed 29,567 army and security personnel for rescue and recovery operations, alongside 27,930 volunteers who have joined the efforts.
Despite the large-scale rescue operations involving thousands, the chances of finding survivors have significantly diminished more than ten days after the earthquakes.
Health risks are increasing in the shelters for the displaced. The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has warned that overcrowding, lack of ventilation, limited access to clean water, and sanitation issues could heighten the risk of infectious disease outbreaks. Authorities are considering targeted vaccination campaigns based on the health risks and vaccine availability in the shelters.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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