Venezuela earthquake death toll crosses 6,000
The updated death toll comes weeks after the 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude quakes hit on June 24, causing massive damage to people and property.
The latest figures have revealed that the earthquakes that struck Venezuela in late June have claimed the lives of 6,125 people. The twin quakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 magnitudes, struck on June 24, causing widespread destruction and triggering national emergencies. Unofficial estimates suggest that between 17,000 and 29,500 individuals remain missing.
The devastating quake led to the collapse of nearly 200 buildings, primarily in the coastal state of La Guaira, which bore the brunt of the disaster. Clean-up operations have been ongoing, with nearly 350,000 tons of debris collected, accounting for approximately 16.5% of the estimated 2.1 million tons of total wreckage. Authorities have classified over 16,200 structures as unsafe, forcing many to evacuate.
Thousands of people are currently residing in makeshift shelters in La Guaira and Caracas. Recently, lawmakers in the country approved a law unanimously, easing rental regulations to aid displaced victims. The new legislation repeals an anti-rental law implemented during former leftist administrations. Acting President Delcy Rodriguez, who assumed power after US forces kidnapped her predecessor, Nicolas Maduro, in January, has been criticized for the government's perceived lack of response to quake victims, including those trapped in the rubble.
Written by urgent.news from DW News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
