Caracas, Jun 27 (V7N) – The death toll from the devastating twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela has risen to at least 920, while around 4,500 people have been injured, according to the head of the United Nations relief agency.
The UN official also said that approximately 60,000 people remain missing, raising fears that the casualty figure could increase significantly as search and rescue operations continue.
Rescue workers believe many victims remain trapped beneath collapsed buildings and debris. In the coastal city of La Guaira alone, at least 250 buildings have reportedly collapsed, causing widespread destruction.
Emergency response efforts have been hampered by the scale of the devastation, with damaged roads, disrupted communications and unstable structures slowing rescue operations. Venezuela's armed forces have been deployed to the worst-affected areas to assist emergency personnel in search and recovery efforts.
The international community has begun mobilizing humanitarian assistance, with countries including the United States, Mexico, Turkey and Switzerland offering rescue teams, emergency supplies and other forms of support.
The powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela on Wednesday evening at around 6:00 p.m. local time. The first tremor measured 7.2 in magnitude, followed just 39 seconds later by a second, stronger earthquake measuring 7.5.
Authorities continue to assess the full extent of the damage as emergency teams race against time to locate survivors beneath the rubble. Officials have warned that the humanitarian situation remains critical, with thousands displaced and urgent needs for medical care, shelter and essential supplies.
END/SMA/AJ
