The death toll from the devastating twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela last month has climbed to 5,119, according to updated official figures. The United Nations warns the number could rise significantly higher, as more than 50,000 people are still believed to be buried under rubble in affected areas.
Lawmaker Jorge Rodriguez announced on Sunday that the confirmed death toll now stands at over 5,100, with rescuers continuing to recover bodies from collapsed structures around the clock. The number of injured has surged to nearly 18,200, while the count of internally displaced people has also increased sharply in the past 24 hours, taking the number to approximately 20,000.
The twin quakes caused severe damage to nearly 860 buildings, of which 195 fully collapsed. The earthquakes, measuring magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, struck the South American nation on June 24, triggering widespread destruction, particularly in urban and densely populated areas near Caracas.
More than 30,000 rescuers — including teams from Mexico, the United States, Cuba, and Colombia — are actively working at the sites, searching for survivors trapped under debris.
Venezuela’s interim president, Delcy Rodríguez, has called on international organisations and the United States to ease sanctions on the country, emphasising the urgent need for resources to rebuild destroyed infrastructure and support affected communities.
Authorities report that over 128,324 families have received assistance through 107 temporary camps, which currently shelter 20,857 people. Meanwhile, the United Nations has issued an emergency appeal for approximately $300 million to provide life-saving aid to around 1.3 million people in desperate need.
Venezuela continues to face some of the heaviest sanctions in South America and ranks among the top nations subject to extensive US restrictions.
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