Venezuela Earthquake Death Toll Nears 5,000 as Thousands Remain Missing

Nearly 5,000 people have now been confirmed dead after two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela in June. The scale of the disaster may be far greater, with the United Nations estimating that up to 50,000 people remain missing and are feared trapped beneath collapsed homes, shattered buildings and mountains of debris.

Venezuelan lawmaker Jorge Rodríguez announced the rising death toll, stating that search and rescue efforts continue under extremely difficult conditions. The twin earthquakes, which hit within weeks of each other, have devastated entire communities, leaving thousands homeless and overwhelming local emergency services.

International aid has begun to arrive, but the sheer scale of the destruction has hampered relief efforts. The UN has called for urgent global assistance, warning that the number of casualties could climb as rescue teams reach more affected areas. The situation remains critical, with aftershocks still being recorded.

Article source: voiceofnicaragua.com | Image credit: France 24