CARACAS (Web Desk) – The death toll from the devastating earthquakes that struck northern Venezuela last month has increased to 2,645, while 12,666 people have been injured, according to the country’s Communication and Information Ministry.
In an official statement released on Friday, the ministry said rescue and humanitarian operations remain underway across the affected regions as authorities continue searching damaged buildings and assisting survivors.
Officials said that 6,462 people have so far been rescued from impacted areas, while relief assistance has reached 86,117 families affected by the powerful twin earthquakes. Emergency workers continue distributing food, drinking water, medical supplies and temporary shelter to displaced residents.
The ministry reported that the earthquakes caused significant structural damage, affecting a total of 885 buildings. Among them, 189 structures completely collapsed, while hundreds of others sustained varying degrees of damage, forcing many residents to leave their homes.
Authorities said large-scale emergency operations have been supported by international partners. More than 3,300 rescue personnel from several countries have been deployed to assist Venezuelan emergency responders in search-and-rescue efforts, medical care and humanitarian relief.
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The government also mobilised nearly 30,000 personnel, including members of the armed forces, civil protection agencies, firefighters, police and medical teams, to coordinate rescue missions and restore essential services in the disaster-hit areas.
According to the ministry, emergency crews continue clearing debris, assessing damaged infrastructure and providing support to families whose homes were destroyed or declared unsafe. Temporary shelters have been established for thousands of displaced residents as authorities work to address immediate humanitarian needs.
The powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela on June 24, causing widespread destruction across parts of the northern region. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the country was hit by two major earthquakes measuring magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, occurring just 39 seconds apart.
The stronger magnitude 7.5 earthquake was centred approximately 23 kilometres southeast of Yumare in Yaracuy state, while the magnitude 7.2 quake struck about 23.9 kilometres northeast of San Felipe, also in Yaracuy.
The back-to-back earthquakes triggered panic among residents as buildings shook violently across affected communities. Many people rushed into open spaces while emergency services responded to reports of collapsed buildings and trapped victims.
Authorities said seismic activity has continued since the initial disaster. The Communication and Information Ministry confirmed that 890 aftershocks have been recorded, creating additional risks for rescue workers and residents returning to damaged structures.
Experts have warned that aftershocks can further weaken already compromised buildings, prompting officials to restrict access to severely damaged areas until safety inspections are completed.
Government agencies are continuing structural assessments to determine whether damaged buildings can be repaired or require demolition. Engineers have been dispatched to inspect schools, hospitals, government offices and residential complexes to evaluate their condition.
Health officials said hospitals in affected areas remain under pressure as medical teams continue treating thousands of injured people. Additional medical supplies and personnel have been sent to the region to strengthen emergency healthcare services.
The Venezuelan government has pledged to continue relief and reconstruction efforts while coordinating with international partners to provide assistance to communities affected by one of the country’s deadliest natural disasters in recent years.
Emergency authorities have urged residents to remain alert for further seismic activity, follow official safety instructions and avoid entering unstable buildings until they have been declared safe by engineers. Rescue operations and humanitarian assistance are expected to continue as officials work to locate any remaining survivors and help communities begin the long recovery process.
