The death toll from the devastating double earthquake that struck northern Venezuela last Wednesday has risen to 1,719, with 5,034 people injured, according to Jorge Rodr\u00edguez, president of the Venezuelan Parliament. <\/p>\n
During a televised update on state channel Venezolana de Televisi\u00f3n (VTV), Rodr\u00edguez shared these grim figures but did not provide information on the number of missing persons. <\/p>\n
Since the twin quakes\u2014measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude\u2014occurred, the region has experienced 609 aftershocks. Rodr\u00edguez reported a 4.2-magnitude tremor this Monday morning, which caused unease among residents but no reported damage. The U.S. Geological Survey, however, recorded this aftershock as a 4.6 magnitude event. <\/p>\n
The government has identified 15,866 people as displaced and reported damage to 855 buildings, with 189 suffering total collapse. This disaster marks the deadliest earthquake Venezuela has faced in a century, surpassing the 1967 Caracas quake that claimed 245 lives. <\/p>\n
The impact spread across Caracas and six northern states, with La Guaira\u2014a coastal area previously devastated by a deadly landslide in 1999\u2014being the hardest hit. In response, authorities have set up 15 large shelters and several smaller ones in schools in La Guaira, while Caracas hosts 50 provisional camps for those displaced. <\/p>\n
On Sunday, acting President Delcy Rodr\u00edguez announced the immediate formation of a commission to inspect damaged homes and extended the suspension of classes for an additional week. <\/p>\n
Rescue teams, both international and local, continue searching for survivors amid the rubble. Meanwhile, some residents of La Guaira have voiced concerns over delays in aid reaching their neighborhoods. <\/p>\n
This ongoing crisis highlights the urgent need for coordinated relief efforts and resilient infrastructure to protect vulnerable communities in Venezuela\u2019s seismic zones.<\/p>\n