The Daily Journal.— On Sunday, Venezuelan authorities raised the death toll to 1,450 following the twin earthquakes that shook the north-central region of the country on June 24. Meanwhile, thousands of national and international rescue workers continue a race against time to locate survivors beneath the rubble.
According to the official report, the number of fatalities has risen to 1,450, while 3,150 injured individuals have received treatment at hospitals in La Guaira and the seven other states affected by the disaster.
The Government also reports 12,721 displaced people, many of whom remain in temporary shelters or camps set up by the authorities.
“We are in critical hours, crucial hours to continue saving lives and to set up camps to house those who have lost their homes,” Rodríguez stated.
Regarding infrastructure, the official balance records 774 affected buildings, of which 189 completely collapsed and 585 sustained partial damage.
Furthermore, 38 hospitals, 44 shopping centers, and 1,645 additional structures—including bridges, roads, and other infrastructure projects—were affected, totaling 2,500 damaged buildings and facilities.
The President of the National Assembly, Jorge Rodríguez, reported that more than 25,000 personnel—including military troops, police officers, firefighters, Civil Protection officials, and Red Cross volunteers—remain deployed in the hardest-hit areas.
“The relentless search continues; the supreme effort of over 25,000 rescuers continues (…) to save the lives of the Venezuelan men and women we find. Every life saved is a miracle,” he affirmed during the official briefing.
Rodríguez also expressed his gratitude for the support of international missions participating in the emergency operations.
“We include and are forever grateful to the 2,624 rescuers and international delegations accompanying us at this present moment,” he noted.
Humanitarian Assistance
Authorities reported that since the onset of the emergency, they have assisted 73,937 families, distributed 7.225 million kilograms of food, delivered 20,000 food bags, and served 222,147 hot meals, primarily in the state of La Guaira, the area experiencing the highest level of devastation.
In healthcare, 527 individuals were transferred from the affected areas to public hospitals and private clinics in Caracas to receive specialized medical attention.
The healthcare system has also provided 12,049 medical assistances, including 4,200 direct consultations and 7,168 triage procedures across hospitals and field hospitals established in La Guaira, Caracas, Valencia, and Maracay.
