Death toll from Venezuela earthquakes rises to 2,645

The death toll from two powerful earthquakes that recently struck Venezuela has risen to 2,645, with thousands more injured or displaced, according to Venezuelan authorities.

The Ministry of Information announced on Friday that the twin earthquakes, which hit western Venezuela on June 24, also left more than 12,000 people injured and approximately 15,000 residents homeless. The quakes occurred about 160 kilometers (100 miles) northwest of the capital, Caracas.

The first earthquake registered a magnitude of 7.2, followed less than a minute later by a more powerful 7.5-magnitude tremor. These seismic events caused the collapse of numerous buildings, trapping many individuals under rubble and inflicting widespread damage on infrastructure across the affected regions.

In response to the devastation, the Venezuelan government has declared a state of emergency. It has also issued an appeal to international organizations, seeking assistance for ongoing relief, rescue, and reconstruction operations. Search-and-rescue teams continue to work in the affected areas, removing debris and searching for survivors. Authorities have cautioned that the number of fatalities may increase as rescue efforts expand to more remote locations and damage assessments are completed.