The death toll from the powerful earthquakes that struck Venezuela in June has climbed to more than 5,000, according to the country’s National Assembly.
Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez announced on Friday that 5,069 people have now been confirmed dead following the twin earthquakes, which measured magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5. The quakes hit within a minute of each other on June 24, causing extensive destruction across the northern coastal state of La Guaira, near the capital, Caracas.
Rodriguez said the majority of the victims were from La Guaira, one of the worst-hit regions. Authorities also reported that the number of injured remains at 16,740, with many of those affected already discharged after receiving medical treatment.
Thousands of residents displaced by the disaster are still living in temporary camps. Officials estimate that around 20,000 people lost their homes, with many shelters facing shortages of clean water and adequate sanitation.
Rescue and recovery efforts continue as authorities work to support affected communities and address the humanitarian challenges left by one of the country’s deadliest natural disasters in recent years.
Source: AFP
