NASA satellite images suggest nearly 59,000 buildings damaged in Venezuela quakes

Satellite data analysed by the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) indicates that nearly 59,000 buildings were likely damaged or destroyed in last week's powerful earthquakes in Venezuela, offering a preliminary assessment of the disaster's scale.

The twin earthquakes, measuring magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5, struck on June 24, killing around 1,700 people and leaving thousands more missing.

They were the strongest earthquakes to hit the South American country in more than a century.

According to a preliminary analysis by researchers Corey Scher and Jamon Van Den Hoek of Oregon State University, approximately 58,870 buildings across the affected region were likely damaged or destroyed based on satellite radar data collected on June 25, one day after the earthquakes, NDTV reports.

The researchers relied on high-resolution radar imagery from the European Space Agency's Sentinel-1 satellite.

"Approximately 58,870 buildings were likely damaged or destroyed across the affected region" based on satellite radar data gathered on June 25, the day after the earthquakes, according to the researchers.

They cautioned that the findings remain provisional.

"This is a preliminary, rapid assessment. It reflects abrupt surface change consistent with damage," the researchers wrote, adding that the figure should only be read as an indicator and was not verified on the ground.

The satellite-based estimate is significantly higher than the official figures released by Venezuelan authorities. National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez said on Monday that 855 buildings had been damaged, including 189 that had suffered "total collapses."

NASA said its satellites were supporting disaster response efforts by supplying imagery and data to emergency teams.

"Providing critical support, capturing imagery and data to help teams on the ground assess impacts and guide response efforts," the agency said.