Venezuela Earthquake Death Toll Exceeds 5,000; IMF Aid Sought for Reconstruction

Venezuela is grappling with the aftermath of devastating twin earthquakes that struck the nation on June 24, claiming the lives of over 5,000 people. The powerful 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude tremors hit within a minute of each other, causing widespread destruction, particularly in the coastal state of La Guaira, located north of the capital, Caracas.

National Assembly chief Jorge Rodriguez reported the grim casualty figure on Telegram, stating that 5,069 people died, with the majority of fatalities occurring in the heavily impacted coastal region. The number of injured remains at 16,740, though Rodriguez noted that most had already been released from hospitals. Thousands of people are still displaced, with approximately 20,000 individuals residing in overcrowded camps that reportedly lack essential services like water and sanitation.

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The disasters killed 5,069 people, with most casualties occurring in the coastal region.

In response to the disaster, Interim President Delcy Rodriguez announced that the country will seek $346 million from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to aid in the reconstruction efforts. The IMF has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding this financial assistance. The scale of the destruction and the ongoing humanitarian challenges highlight the immense task of recovery facing Venezuela.

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the country would tap $346 million from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for earthquake reconstruction.