Death Toll Rises to 1,719 from Double Earthquake in Venezuela

The death toll from a powerful double earthquake that struck northern Venezuela has climbed to 1,719, with 5,034 people injured, Parliament President Jorge Rodríguez announced Monday. The devastating seismic event, which occurred last Wednesday, has left a significant mark on the region.

Rodríguez provided an update on the disaster's impact, stating that the government has also registered 15,866 displaced individuals and 855 buildings affected by the tremors. Of these structures, 189 suffered total collapse, underscoring the severity of the earthquakes.

Since the initial 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes, Venezuela has experienced 609 aftershocks. A recent aftershock measuring 4.2, though reported as 4.6 by the U.S. Geological Survey, caused anxiety among the population but resulted in no new damage.

This double earthquake is the deadliest natural disaster of its kind to hit Venezuela in the last century. It far surpasses the 1967 Caracas earthquake, which occurred 59 years prior, resulting in 245 deaths, thousands of injuries, and extensive material damage.

The tremors affected Caracas and six other northern states, with the coastal region of La Guaira bearing the brunt of the destruction. La Guaira is a region with a history of natural disasters, having suffered a devastating landslide in 1999 that claimed thousands of lives. In response to the current crisis, 15 large shelters and smaller ones in schools have been established in La Guaira, along with 50 provisional camps in Caracas. International and national rescue teams continue their search for survivors amidst the rubble, while some residents report delays in aid delivery.