The official death toll from the twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela on June 24 has climbed to 4,490, according to government figures released on Sunday. While authorities confirmed the rising number of fatalities, they have not yet provided an estimate for the number of people who remain missing following the disaster.
The magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 tremors, which hit the capital city of Caracas and the coastal state of La Guaira, caused widespread destruction, reducing high-rise apartment complexes to rubble. In response to the crisis, makeshift camps have been established in stadiums, plazas, and on sidewalks across both regions to house those left homeless. As of Sunday, the government reported that 19,583 individuals were residing in these temporary shelters.
Efforts to address the housing crisis are underway, with National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez announcing on Saturday that the government intends to provide displaced families with access to apartments that were already under construction prior to the seismic event. Furthermore, officials have designated more than 40 plots of land in La Guaira, covering approximately 584,000 square meters, to facilitate the development of new housing.
International assistance continues to reach the affected areas. On Sunday, Foreign Minister Yvan Gil confirmed via Telegram that an aid shipment from Russia had been received. Additionally, the US Embassy reported that it has successfully delivered 100,000 aid kits to communities impacted by the earthquakes.
The official death toll from Venezuela's devastating twin earthquakes rose to nearly 4,500 on Sunday, as the government reported more than 19,500 people were now living in camps due to the destruction.
