Death Toll in Venezuela's Double Earthquakes Rises to 3.889

The official death toll from the double earthquakes that struck Venezuela on 24 Haziran has risen to 3.889, according to a statement made by the government on Thursday. The 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes that occurred in the region happened only 39 seconds apart, causing massive destruction in the country. The number of fatalities showed a certain increase from the previously announced figure of 3.811. During this period when the situation is worsening, it was reported that the number of injured remained steady at 16.740. Authorities state that debris removal and damage assessment efforts are ongoing, but more time is needed to clarify the exact number of missing people.

Government officials and local authorities are deliberately avoiding making estimates regarding the number of citizens still reported missing. However, the United Nations (UN), which is closely monitoring the situation, is considering the possibility that the number of missing persons could reach up to 50.000. Meanwhile, other data obtained from the field and independent sources indicate that the number of missing could be around 10.000. Families continue their search from the air and on the ground, sifting through the rubble of leveled buildings with the hope of reaching their loved ones. Considering the passing days and harsh living conditions, the likelihood of finding anyone alive under the rubble has almost completely vanished.

This disaster, which caused the greatest destruction in northern Venezuela, has turned into a nightmare on top of the ongoing economic and social crises in the country. Because the country's infrastructure has collapsed, conducting search and rescue operations and delivering relief supplies to the region require a massive effort. The United Nations, in an official statement on Wednesday, called on the international community to provide urgent assistance. In this context, a call was made to establish a global fund to meet the basic needs of approximately 1.3 million people directly affected by the earthquake. UN officials warn that every passing hour could lead to further loss of life.

Meanwhile, the Caracas administration in Venezuela is trying to mobilize its limited resources in addition to international aid. Officials have intensified diplomatic initiatives to gain access to the country's assets and resources frozen abroad due to existing economic sanctions. If these funds are released, it is stated that the urgent shelter, nutrition, and health needs of the earthquake victims can be met quickly. It is emphasized that the economic embargoes imposed on the country have left the public even more vulnerable during the disaster. The country's administration argues that the immediate release of these frozen resources is a humanitarian necessity.

Since the moment the earthquake struck, the arrival of international search and rescue teams in the region was severely delayed due to the mountainous terrain and destroyed roads. Many rural areas were cut off from the outside world for days due to communication networks destroyed by the earthquake's severity, eliminating the chance for early intervention. The failure to meet the basic needs of survivors, such as shelter, clean water, and medical aid, increases the risk of a secondary disaster, especially among children and the elderly. The restricted access to the region for the international press and observers also makes it difficult to obtain and verify clear information from the field. All these developments show that the scale of this massive disaster facing Venezuela and the need for global solidarity are becoming more evident with each passing day.