Overview
- Two strong quakes that struck on Wednesday, measured at 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude, have left officials reporting 1,450 dead, about 3,150 injured and 12,721 families declared homeless.
- Large search-and-rescue operations continue with more than 2,600 international rescuers, 137 search dogs and roughly 85 tonnes of equipment supporting local teams, and authorities say 33 people have been pulled out alive so far.
- The government reports heavy structural damage: 774 buildings affected or collapsed, including 189 destroyed and 585 partially damaged, plus harm to 38 hospitals, 44 shopping centers and more than 1,600 other structures.
- Humanitarian efforts include temporary shelters, mental-health hotlines, a missing-persons registration platform and a CAF proposal for a multidonor reconstruction fund of up to US$200 million to help recovery.
- United Nations‑cited USGS PAGER modeling gives about a 48% chance losses exceed US$100 billion, officials warn many people remain unlocated, and critics say coordination and speed of the official response must improve as recovery planning begins.