Death toll mounts to 1,719 after devastating Venezuela earthquake

The death toll from the earthquakes in Venezuela has risen to 1,719, according to National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez, who announced the figures in an interview with CNN.

At least 22,619 people have been officially recognised as affected by the disaster, including 5,034 who sustained injuries. Earlier, the US Geological Survey warned that the overall death toll could potentially reach 10,000.

855 buildings across the country have been damaged, while 189 have been completely destroyed, Rodríguez added.

The speaker also noted that Venezuela has experienced 609 aftershocks since the initial two powerful earthquakes, which measured magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5. However, he said the subsequent tremors did not cause significant additional damage.

By Jeyhun Aghazada