Death Toll Rises to 3,685 as the Toll of the Double Earthquake in Venezuela Worsens

Venezuela continues to face the bitter toll of the devastating double earthquake that occurred on 24 Haziran and deeply shook the country. According to the latest data announced by national authorities, the death toll is steadily increasing despite nearly two weeks having passed since the disaster. As of 7 Temmuz, according to the official figures announced, the number of casualties increased by 150 more people compared to the previous day, reaching a total of 3,685. This tragic increase reveals the magnitude of the earthquake's destructive power and the critical situation in the areas where search and rescue operations continue. Authorities state that debris removal efforts at the incident sites are meticulously carried out and that efforts to find missing citizens continue uninterruptedly.

As the extent of the disaster becomes clear, it is seen that a humanitarian crisis is also growing in the region. According to official statements, the number of families affected by the double earthquake has reached 86 thousand 794, bringing about a massive logistical and sheltering need. While the number of homeless people has risen to 17 thousand 907, the government has established 87 different temporary camps to temporarily accommodate these people. These camps function as emergency centers where basic life needs are met for thousands of people who have lost everything. Authorities state that they are aware of the need to build housing meeting international standards to meet the long-term permanent sheltering needs of these people.

A large-scale mobilization is also being carried out in the search, rescue, and healthcare services conducted following the earthquake. According to the details shared by Ulusal Meclis Başkanı Jorge Rodríguez, 6 thousand 462 people have been rescued alive from the rubble to date and managed to hold on to life. While the number of injured hovers around 16 thousand 740, the number of patients treated in healthcare facilities has reached 25 thousand 970. However, authorities admit that a detailed and comprehensive official report regarding the severity of the injuries has not yet been created. This situation is notable for showing how much the medical infrastructure is struggling, despite the intense efforts of the healthcare teams working in the field.

La Guaira eyaleti in northern Venezuela stands out as the region most severely affected by these massive earthquakes. Regional authorities confirmed that a total of 856 buildings were damaged after the double earthquake wiped a large area off the map. 190 of these buildings completely collapsed, with the vast majority of these demolitions occurring in La Guaira; this caused massive destruction in the province's settlement structure. A total of 1.076 aftershocks were recorded in the region during the second earthquake, creating a constant atmosphere of panic and anxiety among survivors and rescue teams. Examinations conducted in the region reveal that this heavy destruction, caused by weaknesses in the infrastructure, necessitates a reconstruction process that will take years.

Following this disaster of legendary magnitude, the government mobilized both national resources and opened the door to international cooperation. While 9.603 tons of food supplies have been distributed to the crisis zone to date, 29 thousand 567 security personnel and 28 thousand 362 volunteers are on duty in the field. Additionally, 4 thousand 388 international search and rescue experts from various countries around the world are actively working in the field to support local teams. In addition to these efforts, the appointed Başkan Delcy Rodríguez launched the «Venezuela Yeniden Doğuyor» plan for the earthquake-resistant reconstruction of housing, requesting technical support from seismically experienced countries such as Japonya and Şili. All these international and local efforts are of critical importance for Venezuela to overcome this deep trauma and establish a more resilient infrastructure against possible future disasters.