Venezuela confirms higher earthquake toll as deaths reach 4,734

The death toll from the twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela on June 24 has risen to 4,734, National Assembly Speaker Jorge Rodríguez announced.

The latest figures shared in a Telegram statement showed that 4,734 people have been killed, 16,740 injured, and 6,462 rescued following the disaster.

Updated figures from the authorities show that 20,903 people are currently staying in temporary shelters. A total of 107 such facilities have been established to accommodate displaced residents.

The authorities also reported that 17,907 people remain without housing as a result of the earthquakes.

In addition, assistance has been provided to 128,324 families, while 33,652 people have sought medical care in the aftermath of the disaster.

Venezuela declared a state of emergency after two powerful earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 struck within less than a minute of each other on the evening of June 24. The quakes were among the strongest to hit the country in more than a century.

The tremors were felt in Caracas and across several other regions of the country.

Simón Bolívar International Airport near the Venezuelan capital was closed after sustaining damage from the earthquakes. Metro and railway services in the capital were also suspended.

The earthquakes disrupted electricity, water, telecommunications, and internet services in several areas. Gas supplies were cut off in residential buildings that suffered damage.

By Jeyhun Aghazada