The death toll from the twin earthquakes that rattled Venezuela on June 24 has risen to 2,645, with more than 12,666 people injured. The data is shared by the Venezuelan National Assembly.
Rodriguez, who is also overseeing the command centre for temporary camps, said that authorities have rescued 6,462 people and 86,117 families have received assistance.
According to officials, more than 885 buildings are damaged, while 189 others have collapsed. Authorities had also set up 59 temporary camps to accommodate those affected by the disaster.
Since the powerful earthquakes, Venezuela has recorded 890 aftershocks, Rodriguez said, addingthat 3,305 international rescuers and 29,567 emergency responders remained deployed across the country to respond to the emergency.
Meanwhile, Venezuela’s acting president, Delcy Rodríguez, earlier declared seven days of national mourning in tribute to the victims of the powerful earthquakes.
“In honour of the memory of the victims, I have decided to decree National Mourning for seven (7) days, starting at 6:00 p.m. Today,” Rodriguez wrote in a statement posted on social media on Wednesday (local time).
She said that “in these moments of profound sadness, we embrace those who suffer from this tragedy and reaffirm our commitment to accompany and protect them.”
“Venezuela’s soul is torn by the human losses caused by the devastating earthquakes,” Rodriguez added.
Two major quakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 struck in quick succession up north, with authorities maintaining that tens of thousands are still missing.