Venezuela earthquake death toll exceeds 5,000

More than three weeks after twin earthquakes struck Venezuela, the official death toll has risen above 5,000, according to an updated count released on July 17. The devastating 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude quakes, which hit within a minute of each other on June 24, decimated the coastal state of La Guaira, north of Caracas.

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The twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela last month killed over 5,000 people, officials said, while announcing they drew hundreds of millions of dollars from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for reconstruction.

National Assembly chief Jorge Rodriguez reported on Telegram that 5,069 people died, with the majority of casualties concentrated in the coastal region. The number of injured remains at 16,740, though parliamentary leaders previously stated most had been discharged from hospitals. Authorities also announced that Venezuela has secured $346 million from the IMF to aid in earthquake reconstruction.

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The disasters killed 5,069 people, National Assembly chief Jorge Rodriguez posted on Telegram, with most casualties occurring in the coastal region.

IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva confirmed the fund's release, stating the institution worked with counterparts to help Venezuela access its resources for urgent humanitarian needs. These funds were drawn from Venezuela's reserve tranche. Relations between Venezuela and the IMF had been frozen since 2019 but resumed in April after the U.S. overthrew Nicolas Maduro in January, leading to the IMF recognizing the new interim government.

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the country tapped $346 million from the IMF for earthquake reconstruction.

Despite reconstruction efforts and IMF support, approximately 20,000 people displaced by the quakes are still living in overcrowded camps. Many of these temporary settlements lack essential supplies like water and proper sanitation systems, highlighting the ongoing humanitarian challenges in the affected regions.

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the institution “worked with key counterparts to help Venezuela access its own resources at the Fund for urgent humanitarian needs,” adding that the funds had been drawn “from their reserve tranche.”