CARACAS, VENEZUELA / Content Syndication Services / – Venezuela’s official death toll from two powerful earthquakes rose to 1,943, making the disaster one of the country’s deadliest in modern history. National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez reported the latest figure on state television. He said 10,571 people had been injured. Rescue teams continued work in La Guaira, Caracas and other damaged areas after the June 24 quakes left collapsed buildings, blocked roads and strained hospitals.
The U.S. Geological Survey recorded the earthquakes at magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5. The second and stronger quake struck seconds after the first near Venezuela’s northern coast. Shaking damaged residential towers, public buildings and transport routes. La Guaira, a coastal state north of Caracas, suffered some of the heaviest destruction. Authorities also reported damage in parts of the capital and nearby communities, where residents remained outside damaged homes because of aftershocks.
The official toll rose as crews searched the ruins of apartment blocks and public facilities. Emergency workers, local volunteers and foreign rescue teams used dogs, listening devices and heavy equipment where access allowed. Officials said thousands of people had lost homes or could not safely return to damaged buildings. Many displaced families gathered in open areas, shelters and public spaces while authorities worked to restore basic services.
Rescue teams expand search
The disaster response focused on dense coastal and urban areas where building collapses trapped residents. In La Guaira, several apartment towers and seafront buildings sustained severe damage. Rescue workers also searched damaged neighborhoods in Caracas and communities near the quake zone. Authorities restricted access to some areas to clear routes for ambulances, cranes and search teams. Power and water disruptions added pressure to the emergency response.
Health services faced rising strain as injured people arrived at hospitals and clinics. The World Health Organization said several health centers were critically damaged or only partly operating. Medical teams dealt with overcrowding, surgical backlogs and gaps in maternity care. Public health officials also monitored risks linked to crowded shelters, damaged sanitation systems and reduced access to clean water. The need for medical supplies, shelter and safe water remained high.
Aid needs widen
The United Nations said humanitarian needs included shelter, food, water, sanitation and medical care. Satellite analysis cited by disaster specialists estimated that tens of thousands of buildings may have sustained damage or destruction. On the ground, officials continued checks to assess unsafe structures. Venezuela’s government said emergency teams were working across affected zones, while international responders supported search operations and medical assistance.
The earthquakes struck a country already facing pressure on public services and infrastructure. The new toll of 1,943 dead and 10,571 injured marked a sharp rise from initial casualty reports issued after the shaking began. Authorities continued to update figures as crews reached damaged sites and recovered more victims. Rescue work and relief delivery remained focused on La Guaira, Caracas and nearby communities hit hardest by the twin earthquakes.