Venezuela earthquake death toll exceeds 6,000

The death toll from two powerful earthquakes that struck Venezuela in June has surpassed 6,000, Parliament Speaker Jorge Rodríguez announced Monday. The twin tremors, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude, caused extensive devastation across the northern part of the country, with the coastal state of La Guaira bearing the brunt of the destruction.

Official figures indicate that the earthquakes claimed the lives of 6,125 people and led to the collapse of nearly 200 buildings. The state of La Guaira, located near the capital Caracas, was particularly hard-hit. Currently, around 20,000 individuals displaced by the disaster are residing in temporary camps set up in public spaces, including sports fields and plazas.

Authorities have commenced the demolition of damaged structures in La Guaira. The earthquakes also impacted over 850 buildings, according to official reports. While the government has not released an official figure for the number of missing persons, experts estimate that up to 10,000 people may still be unaccounted for. The disaster has left an estimated 17,000 people injured.