Earthquake Toll Worsens in Venezuela: Death Toll Rises to 4 Thousand 118

The devastating toll of the major earthquakes that occurred in Venezuela on 24 Haziran is worsening with each passing day. According to the latest statements from authorities, the number of people who lost their lives in the disaster has reached 4 thousand 118 in total, with a new increase of 229 people. While search and rescue efforts continue at full speed in the region, there are concerns that there may still be people waiting to be rescued under the rubble. Health institutions and emergency teams are making intense efforts to treat injured citizens. In current statements made by authorities, it was noted that the number of injured is around 16 thousand 740, revealing the massive scale of the disaster.

It had been announced that the epicenter of the tremors, which caused such massive loss of life and property, was the country's northern coastline. According to data published by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), two major earthquakes were recorded in the country on 24 Haziran, just 39 seconds apart. It was confirmed that the magnitudes of these tremors were 7,2 and 7,5, respectively. The consecutive occurrence of two earthquakes with such high magnitudes caused irreversible damage to the structural infrastructure in the region. The physical devastation and destruction caused by the earthquakes completely changed the agenda of the country and the region.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) was one of the first institutions to clarify the economic dimension of the disaster in the initial days. According to the detailed report published by the institution on 26 Haziran, the cost of physical damage directly caused by the earthquakes was calculated at 6,7 billion dollars. This immense figure is considered a clear indication of how difficult and long the country's economic recovery process will be. Thousands of people who lost their homes and workplaces are being placed in temporary shelters, and their needs are being addressed. During this process, the rapid activation of both national and international support mechanisms is of great importance in preventing a long-term economic crisis.

One of the places where the destructiveness of the disaster was felt the most was the Macuto region, located in the La Guaira state. Venezuela Interim President Delcy Rodriguez paid a visit to Macuto to inspect the infrastructure repair works in the region on site. During this visit, which received wide coverage in local and national media, Rodriguez evaluated the steps taken for the reconstruction of electricity and water networks. During this inspection, broadcast live by VTV, the message was conveyed that the state is on the ground with all its resources to address the grievances of the local people. Fieldwork in Macuto serves as a model and testing process for other damaged areas across the country.

Interim President Rodriguez gave the public important glad tidings regarding the recovery process of critical infrastructure services in the region. In her statement on VTV, she stated that electricity service in La Guaira state has been restored at 96 percent, describing it as a great success story. Additionally, she gave the glad tidings that 21 electrical transformer centers, which experienced major collapses in the grid system, were completely repaired and put into operation. Noting that significant progress has also been made regarding drinking water, Rodriguez announced that the water distribution network has been reactivated at 84 percent. Meanwhile, it was reported that water shipment via tankers continues uninterruptedly as part of humanitarian aid to isolated areas where networks have completely collapsed and destruction is the heaviest.