One month has passed since the devastating twin earthquakes that struck northern Venezuela, and 38 bodies of children and teenagers remain unclaimed in a temporary morgue set up in La Guaira state, according to a statement released Wednesday by the Ministry of Interior, Justice, and Peace.
The National Service of Forensic Medicine and Sciences (Senamecf) has called upon families who have yet to locate their children to visit the Bolipuertos Los Silos facility in La Guaira, the state hardest hit by the June 24, 2026 quakes, which registered magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5.
The identification process involves photographic verification alongside anthropological and dental examinations.
According to the official statement, "families are required to present themselves to facilitate the photographic verification process and the necessary anthropological and dental examinations," all conducted with "the respect and sensitivity that the situation demands."
On Tuesday, Senamecf had already taken preliminary steps by requesting voluntary DNA samples to identify the deceased, aiming to "identify victims through scientific genetic profile comparisons and provide certainty and peace to families," as reported by EFE news agency.
The official death toll from the earthquakes has reached 5,398, with an additional 16,740 injuries and 17,907 people left homeless.
While Venezuelan authorities have not provided official figures for the missing, the citizen initiative "Venezuela Earthquake Missing Persons" recorded 29,500 individuals unaccounted for as of Thursday.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs had estimated in June that the number of missing could be as high as 50,000.
Unidentified victims have been interred in a municipal cemetery in La Guaira state.
Meanwhile, the National Directorate of Civil Protection has dismissed as "completely false" reports circulated early Thursday about supposed rescues of survivors in the OPP26 structure in Caraballeda parish, urging the public not to spread rumors "that play with the hopes of Venezuelan families."
The agency affirmed that its teams remain deployed "round the clock" and will not cease "search and rescue efforts until every possible avenue in the affected area is exhausted."
The World Bank has estimated direct material damages at $19.6 billion, with housing being the most severely impacted sector, accounting for 47% of the total damages.
FAQs on the Venezuelan Earthquake Tragedy
How many people died in the Venezuelan earthquakes?
The official death toll has reached 5,398 as a result of the earthquakes.
What measures are being taken to identify unclaimed bodies?
Families are being asked to present themselves for photographic verification and anthropological and dental examinations to facilitate identification. Additionally, DNA samples have been requested to aid in the identification process.
What is the estimated financial impact of the earthquakes?
The World Bank estimates the direct material damages to be $19.6 billion, with housing comprising 47% of the total damages.