Venezuela earthquakes killed nearly 3,000: updated figures

Official figures released Saturday reveal that nearly 3,000 people died in Venezuela's devastating twin earthquakes, as international rescue teams begin to wind down their search for survivors. The death toll rose by over 300 from Friday, reaching 2,954 following the June 24 disaster. Thousands remain homeless, sheltering in camps, and tens of thousands are still reported missing. The United Nations estimates up to 50,000 people are unaccounted for after the 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude quakes.

The disaster struck hardest in the coastal La Guaira region, north of the capital Caracas, where numerous residential buildings collapsed. Ten days after the earthquakes, which occurred just 38 seconds apart, rescue teams are concluding their efforts. Interim President Delcy Rodriguez presented medals to international teams, including their canine units, in a ceremony acknowledging their work. "Venezuela is experiencing a profound grief gripping our people," Rodriguez stated, acknowledging the families still hoping to find loved ones.

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Venezuela is experiencing "a profound grief gripping our people, where families still hold out hope of finding loved ones alive, people who have lost everything."

Rescue operations are winding down, with teams from the Los Angeles County Fire Department and others from Florida and Virginia preparing to depart. Many Venezuelans have voiced frustration over the government's perceived slow response, recounting initial hours spent digging through rubble themselves before international aid arrived. Rodriguez has defended the government's actions, citing the deployment of thousands of troops and officials. In La Guaira, workers began demolishing damaged structures, while families continued to search for bodies of loved ones for funerals. "We're still working, still searching for bodies. We're still going. It hasn't been easy," said Francisco Sasquia, a Venezuelan volunteer assisting in the recovery efforts.

The economic impact is significant, with the United Nations estimating $6.7 billion in physical damage, equivalent to six percent of Venezuela's GDP. This comes as the oil-exporting nation already grappled with decades of economic crisis and political upheaval that weakened its infrastructure and healthcare system.

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"We're still working, still searching for bodies. We're still going. It hasn't been easy."