Venezuela Earthquakes Leave 4,734 Dead and Tens of Thousands Displaced

Overview

• A double earthquake on June 24 struck northern Venezuela with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5 and triggered hundreds of aftershocks, devastating coastal La Guaira and parts of Caracas.
• The latest official tally reported on July 14 lists 4,734 dead and 16,740 injured as inspections and recovery operations continue.
• Authorities say more than 20,000 people remain in temporary shelters, they estimate a need for about 25,000 housing units, and the first 200 homes are scheduled for delivery this week.
• Roughly 2,400 international rescuers joined Venezuelan teams in search-and-rescue work and the government says 6,462 people have been pulled alive from rubble so far.
• UN and WHO officials warn of urgent public-health and shelter risks, the UN estimates 1.3 million people need aid and about US$300 million has been mobilized while satellite studies put damaged structures in the tens of thousands.