Venezuela Earthquake Death Toll Rises to 3,685 Amid Discrepancies in Missing Persons Reports

The devastating earthquakes that struck Venezuela on June 24 have claimed 3,685 lives, according to the latest official figures released Tuesday. This marks an increase of 150 fatalities compared to the previous day's report. The number of injured remains at 16,740, with rescue teams having saved 6,462 individuals.

Authorities report that 17,907 citizens have lost their homes and are being housed in 87 temporary camps, an increase of five from the prior day. The government's contingency plan has provided aid to 86,794 families, distributing 9,603 tons of food. A significant presence of 29,567 military and security personnel, alongside 28,362 volunteers, remains deployed in the affected areas.

Despite government efforts to track missing persons through a dedicated hotline and digital platform, official data on the disappeared has not been updated since June 25, when 157 cases were recorded. This official figure starkly contrasts with the over 30,000 reports compiled by the citizen initiative Desaparecidos Terremoto Venezuela, highlighting a significant discrepancy and ongoing uncertainty.

This double earthquake has become the deadliest disaster to strike Venezuela in a century, surpassing the 1967 Caracas earthquake, which resulted in 245 deaths. The tremors significantly impacted Caracas and six northern states, with the coastal state of La Guaira experiencing the most severe devastation, evoking memories of the 1999 landslide tragedy.

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