Death Toll from Venezuela Quake Rises to 5,398

The death toll from a devastating double earthquake that struck northern Venezuela nearly a month ago has climbed to 5,398, according to National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez. The latest update added 52 fatalities to the grim tally.

The number of injured individuals remains stable at 16,740. However, the number of people displaced from their homes saw a slight increase, reaching 17,907. This figure had previously decreased, but Rodríguez did not explain the reason for the renewed rise.

Currently, 23,335 people are housed in 107 temporary camps, an increase of 213 from the previous day. Authorities have provided assistance to 128,324 families. The earthquakes have left a significant mark on infrastructure, with 856 buildings damaged and 190 completely collapsed. Since the initial tremors on June 24, the region has experienced approximately 1,463 aftershocks, 58 more than previously reported.

In a recent development, over 240 families received new housing provided by the government. The handover ceremony was led by Delcy Rodríguez, the acting president, alongside her brother, at Fuerte Tiuna military complex in Caracas. Despite official figures, a citizen initiative, 'Desparecidos Terremoto Venezuela,' reports over 29,000 people unaccounted for. Unconfirmed reports from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in June suggested the number of missing could be as high as 50,000. Victims whose identities remain unconfirmed are reportedly being buried in mass graves in La Guaira state.

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The death toll from the double earthquake of magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 that occurred almost a month ago in the northern zone of Venezuela rose this Wednesday to 5,398, after authorities added 52 deaths.