Venezuela earthquake death toll surpasses 4,118

The death toll from two powerful earthquakes that struck Venezuela has climbed to 4,118, with at least 16,740 people injured, according to a government statement. Thousands remain unaccounted for following the consecutive quakes on June 24, which flattened entire neighborhoods in the coastal state of La Guaira.

The larger of the two earthquakes, a magnitude 7.5 tremor, was the strongest to hit Venezuela in over a century. It struck just 39 seconds after a 7.2 magnitude quake, reducing multi-story apartment buildings to rubble. While rescue operations for survivors have ceased, family members continue to search through the debris, hoping to provide a dignified burial for their loved ones.

“

At least 4,118 people were killed and 16,740 injured in the two earthquakes that occurred consecutively on June 24, destroying entire areas in the coastal state of La Guaira.

A 3.0 magnitude aftershock in central Caracas on Wednesday briefly caused panic and led to the evacuation of several buildings. The scale of the recovery needed is immense, particularly as Venezuela's public services are already severely strained by a prolonged economic crisis. The United Nations issued an urgent appeal for nearly $300 million (1.2 billion Malaysian ringgit) for earthquake relief efforts. Interim President Delcy Rodriguez has called for the release of Venezuela's frozen assets abroad to fund reconstruction, specifically requesting King Charles III to release approximately 30 tons of Venezuelan gold held under sanctions by the United Kingdom.

“

The scale of the recovery effort that Venezuela must face is enormous, especially as the country's public services are severely affected by the prolonged economic crisis.