More than 6.7 million people affected by Venezuela earthquake, UN estimates

Up to 6.76 million people may have been affected by the devastating earthquake in Venezuela, according to preliminary estimates released by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), a UN-affiliated agency.

The organization noted that the figures are based on an initial assessment of population data and the scale of destruction caused by the disaster. In the capital, Caracas, alone, as many as 2 million people may have been impacted by the earthquake’s effects.

The earthquake struck Venezuela on the evening of June 24. Two powerful tremors, measuring magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5, were recorded approximately 40 seconds apart. Their epicenters were located about 10 kilometers from each other in Yaracuy state.

The disaster was followed by 214 aftershocks. According to the latest figures, more than 1,400 people have been killed, while over 3,200 others have suffered injuries of varying severity.

By Jeyhun Aghazada