CARACAS— Venezuela's government said on Tuesday the death toll from the powerful twin earthquakes that struck the country's northern coast on June 24 had exceeded 2,300, while a period of national mourning remained in effect as authorities continued recovery operations and assessed the scale of the disaster.
Officials said the latest confirmed toll had risen above 2,300 after additional bodies were recovered from collapsed buildings in the worst-affected areas, including the coastal state of La Guaira and parts of the capital, Caracas. The government has said thousands of people were injured and many others displaced by the earthquakes, which measured magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5 and struck seconds apart.
Interim President Delcy Rodriguez declared seven days of national mourning following the disaster, describing the earthquakes as one of the country's deadliest natural catastrophes in recent history. National flags were flown at half-staff, while rescue and recovery efforts continued across damaged communities.
Authorities said domestic emergency services were working alongside international search-and-rescue teams to locate victims, clear debris and deliver humanitarian assistance. Officials warned that casualty figures could continue to change as crews reached additional collapsed structures, but said only confirmed deaths were included in the official tally.
Government figures indicated that thousands of people had been rescued or evacuated, while temporary shelters were established for residents whose homes were destroyed or deemed unsafe. Health authorities and international aid organizations also worked to provide medical treatment, clean water and emergency supplies to displaced families.
The earthquakes caused extensive damage to homes, public buildings, roads and other infrastructure across northern Venezuela. Aftershocks continued in the days following the initial quakes, prompting authorities to restrict access to damaged structures and urge residents to follow official safety guidance.
International organizations and foreign governments pledged humanitarian assistance, while relief agencies cautioned that emergency needs would remain significant as recovery shifted from search operations to longer-term rebuilding. Public health officials also warned that overcrowded shelters and damaged health facilities could increase risks of disease if conditions persisted.
Officials said recovery operations would continue, with updated casualty figures to be released as additional identifications and damage assessments were completed.
