Overview
- Two powerful earthquakes that struck northern Venezuela on June 24 left widespread destruction and the government now reports 2,645 dead, about 12,666 injured and more than 15,000 homeless.
- Search-and-rescue teams from Venezuela and more than two dozen countries continued work into the second week and achieved rare late survivals, including guard Hernán Gil, while some people located under rubble were later found dead.
- Authorities have moved rescue zones into recovery mode by deploying international forensic teams, rejecting mass graves and requiring fingerprint, photographic or dental identification before releasing bodies to families.
- United Nations and NASA technical assessments estimate about $6.7 billion in economic losses and tens of thousands of damaged buildings, and UN agencies warn that up to 50,000 people may be unaccounted for.
- International aid and USAR brigades remain active but families and rescuers have complained about delayed deployments, limited heavy machinery and uneven relief delivery as the government unveils an initial $200 million reconstruction fund.