Venezuela earthquake death toll surpasses 5,000
The death toll from two powerful earthquakes in Venezuela has reached 5,069, with over 20,000 displaced. International rescue teams continue operations, and the country has secured emergency IMF funding.
The death toll from two devastating earthquakes that struck Venezuela in late June has risen to 5,069. Rescue workers are still clearing debris and searching for survivors after the 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude quakes hit on June 24, just 39 seconds apart. More than 1,300 aftershocks have been recorded since.
The northern coastal state of La Guaira was the worst affected, with 856 buildings damaged, 190 of which completely collapsed. Hundreds of bridges and roads were also damaged. Interim President Delcy Rodríguez called the disaster the “most brutal natural catastrophe” in Venezuela’s history.
Over 20,000 people have been displaced, many living in overcrowded temporary camps. Aid organizations warn that some shelters lack reliable supplies of safe drinking water and adequate sanitation, increasing the risk of disease.
Venezuela has secured $346 million (€302 million) in previously frozen resources from the International Monetary Fund for reconstruction. The United States has provided more than $300 million (€262 million) in humanitarian assistance. The IMF and World Bank announced in April that they were resuming relations with Venezuela following the US military intervention that removed Nicolás Maduro from power in January. Relations with both institutions had been frozen since 2019.
