Venezuela quake death toll rises to 2,645 as rescue, relief efforts continue

The death toll from the twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela last week has risen to 2,645, while more than 12,000 people have been injured and around 15,000 displaced, the country's Information Ministry said on July 3.

In a statement posted on X, the ministry said rescue and humanitarian operations remained underway, with 6,462 people rescued and assistance provided to 86,117 families affected by the disaster, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media. 

According to the ministry, the earthquakes damaged 885 buildings, including 189 that collapsed. More than 3,300 international rescue workers have been deployed to the affected areas, while nearly 30,000 Venezuelan personnel are participating in relief efforts.

The ministry also reported that 890 aftershocks had been recorded since the initial earthquakes struck on June 24.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the two powerful earthquakes, measuring magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, hit Venezuela just 39 seconds apart.

The stronger, magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck 23 kilometres southeast of Yumare in Yaracuy state, while the magnitude 7.2 quake was centred 23.9 kilometres northeast of San Felipe, also in Yaracuy.

Emergency response and recovery operations are continuing as authorities assess the full extent of the destruction across the affected regions.

By Sabina Mammadli