Venezuela earthquake death toll rises to 4,333

The death toll from the twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela has risen to 4,333, Jorge Rodríguez, speaker of the country’s National Assembly, announced.

Rodríguez said that 16,740 people were injured in the disaster, while nearly 18,000 were left homeless. A total of 6,462 people have been rescued.

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

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

Simón Bolívar International Airport, located near the Venezuelan capital, was closed due to damage caused by the earthquakes. Operations on the capital’s metro system and railway network were also suspended.

Several areas experienced disruptions to electricity and water supplies, as well as telecommunications and internet services. Gas supplies were shut off in damaged residential buildings.

By Jeyhun Aghazada