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Venezuela earthquake death toll exceeds 6,000
🇩🇪 Germany /Disasters & Emergencies

Venezuela earthquake death toll exceeds 6,000

From Die Zeit · () German

Translated from German, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement Outcome reported
  • More than five weeks after a major double earthquake in Venezuela, the death toll has surpassed 6,000, according to official figures.
  • Cleanup efforts are ongoing, with only about 16.5% of the estimated 2.1 million tons of debris removed so far.
  • The earthquakes, which struck on June 24, caused an estimated $20 billion in damages, with residential buildings heavily affected.

Over five weeks after a devastating double earthquake struck Venezuela, the official death toll has climbed to 6,125, as reported by National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez. The immense task of clearing millions of tons of rubble continues, with only a fraction of the estimated 2.1 million tons of debris removed.

6,125 people have died, according to official figures.

— Jorge RodríguezThe President of the National Assembly announced the latest death toll.

Rodríguez stated that 346,000 tons of debris have been cleared, representing approximately 16.5% of the total volume estimated by the United Nations Development Programme. The disaster left more than 800 buildings damaged or destroyed, and thousands remain missing. Unofficial websites tracking disappearances list tens of thousands of people still unaccounted for.

346,000 tons of debris have been cleared.

— Jorge RodríguezThe President of the National Assembly provided an update on cleanup efforts.

The powerful earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude, hit Venezuela on June 24. The World Bank estimates the immediate material damage at nearly $20 billion, with residential buildings bearing almost half of that cost. The states of La Guaira and the capital district of Caracas were particularly hard-hit.

2.1 million tons

— United Nations Development ProgrammeThe estimated total amount of debris created by the earthquakes.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Die Zeit in German. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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