The human toll from the devastating earthquakes that struck Venezuela on June 24 continues to rise. The Venezuelan government's latest official report, released Monday by Jorge Rodríguez, president of the National Assembly, confirms 4,561 deaths, marking an increase of 71 from the previous day.
This tragic progression began with 164 casualties on June 24 and has relentlessly escalated: 920 by June 26, 1,719 by June 28, 3,535 by July 6, 4,118 by July 10, 4,333 by July 11, and 4,490 on Sunday.
The report also accounts for 16,740 injured individuals, 6,462 people rescued alive, and 1,254 aftershocks since the initial seismic events.
Additionally, 17,907 people remain homeless, and 20,231 are living in 107 temporary camps set up by authorities.
The official document details that 856 buildings have been affected, with 190 completely collapsed. In response, 10,063 tons of food and over 19.6 million liters of water have been distributed.
The emergency response includes 2,471 international rescuers, 30,989 security personnel deployed, and 30,692 volunteers actively involved.
Seismic Impact and Rescue Efforts
The twin earthquakes—measuring 7.2 and 7.5 magnitudes—struck at 6:04 PM local time, just 39 seconds apart, with the epicenter near Yumare in the state of Yaracuy.
The seismic waves rattled a densely populated region encompassing Caracas and the coastal state of La Guaira, where the destruction was most severe: 158 out of the 190 buildings that collapsed nationwide were located here.
NASA processed images from the Sentinel-1 satellite, revealing that more than half of the structures in towns such as Caraballeda, Macuto, Naiguatá, and Catia la Mar faced a damage probability exceeding 75%.
Geophysicist Michael Schmitz explained to El Nacional that the extent of the devastation is not solely due to the earthquakes' magnitude. "Since major earthquakes don't occur as frequently as in Chile or Japan, seismic considerations have taken a back seat," he noted.
As rescue efforts shift to recovering bodies, the government of Delcy Rodríguez has not released an official count of those missing.
Transparency Concerns and International Projections
The United Nations estimates up to 50,000 people remain unaccounted for, while the citizen platform "Encuéntralos" recorded over 71,000 missing as of June 29. This lack of transparency has led to open criticism both domestically and internationally.
Compounding the issue are reports from victims' families alleging obstruction by military forces during search efforts. "We demand, please, let us work. The national armed forces have not allowed us to work," a volunteer told Infobae.
The United Nations Development Program estimated material damages at approximately $6.7 billion, equivalent to 6% of Venezuela's GDP, with the total impact possibly reaching between $10.05 billion and $20.1 billion.
The United States Geological Survey issued a Red Alert, estimating a 42% probability that the actual death toll could range between 10,000 and 100,000 people. This projection starkly contrasts with the official figures released by Nicolás Maduro's regime, underscoring the potential scale of unreported casualties.
Key Questions About the Venezuelan Earthquakes
What were the magnitudes of the earthquakes that hit Venezuela?
The earthquakes that struck Venezuela had magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5.
How many people are estimated to be missing after the earthquakes?
The United Nations estimates that up to 50,000 people could be missing, while the platform "Encuéntralos" reported over 71,000 missing as of June 29.
What is the estimated financial impact of the earthquakes in Venezuela?
The United Nations Development Program estimates the material damages at approximately $6.7 billion, with a total impact possibly reaching $10.05 billion to $20.1 billion.