CARACAS — Venezuela’s earthquake death toll has risen above 1,700, with thousands of people still missing after two powerful earthquakes struck the country’s northern coastal region last week, authorities and international agencies said as rescue operations continued on Wednesday.
The earthquakes, measured at magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5, struck on June 24 and caused widespread destruction in areas including La Guaira state and parts of the capital Caracas. Venezuelan officials said the disaster left more than 5,000 people injured and thousands displaced, while the United Nations said the scale of the humanitarian response remained significant as teams searched damaged areas.
Jorge Rodríguez, president of Venezuela’s National Assembly, said the confirmed death toll had reached 1,719 and that thousands of people remained affected by the destruction. Officials have continued to revise casualty figures as recovery teams gain access to damaged communities and identify victims.
Rescue teams from Venezuela and several other countries have been working through collapsed structures, with international search-and-rescue personnel and specialist teams deployed to affected areas. The United Nations said more than 2,000 rescue workers from multiple countries were involved in operations, supported by search dogs and humanitarian agencies.
The World Health Organization said Venezuela’s health system was under severe strain after the earthquakes, with damaged medical facilities, overcrowding and increased pressure on emergency services. The agency said hospitals and health centers were facing challenges as authorities responded to injuries and displacement caused by the disaster.
Rescue efforts have been complicated by continuing aftershocks and damage to infrastructure. The United Nations reported that hundreds of aftershocks had been recorded since the initial earthquakes, creating additional risks for emergency workers operating near unstable buildings.
Authorities have received assistance from foreign governments and international organizations, including emergency supplies, medical support and rescue personnel. Venezuela’s interim government said aid efforts were continuing as teams worked to reach affected communities and provide shelter, food and medical assistance.
The number of missing people remains uncertain as officials verify reports from families and local authorities. Earlier estimates of tens of thousands of missing people have varied, with humanitarian agencies and government officials continuing assessments of the affected areas.
Search and recovery operations remained active on Wednesday, with authorities saying teams would continue efforts to locate survivors, recover victims and deliver emergency assistance in the earthquake-hit regions.
