Death toll from Venezuela earthquakes rises to 1,450 as rescue efforts continue
The death toll from the powerful earthquakes that struck Venezuela on June 24 has risen to 1,450 as emergency teams continue search and rescue operations in the devastated areas, authorities said.
National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez released updated casualty figures, saying the twin earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude have also left more than 3,150 people injured.
Rodríguez said that 12,721 people have been displaced by the disaster as of Friday, while 774 buildings have collapsed due to the powerful tremors.
He added that more than 25,000 emergency personnel have been deployed nationwide to carry out search-and-rescue operations, clear debris and deliver humanitarian assistance to affected communities.
Authorities believe that tens of thousands of people remain missing, raising concerns that the death toll could continue to increase as rescue teams reach isolated areas and search through collapsed structures.
The earthquakes struck Venezuela on June 24, triggering widespread destruction across parts of the country and prompting one of the largest emergency responses in recent years.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the two powerful earthquakes occurred just 39 seconds apart.
The stronger, magnitude 7.5 earthquake was centered approximately 23 kilometers south of the city of Yumare in Yaracuy state at a depth of 10 kilometers.
A second earthquake measuring magnitude 7.2 struck about 24 kilometers north of San Felipe, also in Yaracuy state, at a depth of 21.9 kilometers, according to the USGS.
The closely spaced earthquakes caused extensive structural damage, leaving thousands homeless and forcing large-scale evacuations. Rescue teams continue to search collapsed buildings for survivors while humanitarian aid is being distributed to displaced residents.
Officials have not yet indicated when rescue operations are expected to conclude, warning that the number of casualties and missing persons may continue to change as assessments progress.(ILKHA)
LEGAL WARNING: All rights of the published news, photos and videos are reserved by İlke Haber Ajansı Basın Yayın San. Trade A.Ş. Under no circumstances can all or part of the news, photos and videos be used without a written contract or subscription.
Romania has placed nearly the entire country under a red weather alert as an intense heatwave pushes temperatures to record levels, prompting authorities to warn residents of dangerous conditions.
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaydi said the government's sweeping anti-corruption operation that led to the arrest of dozens of politicians and senior officials was only the beginning of a broader campaign, pledging that efforts to recover public funds and eliminate corruption from state institutions will continue.
A magnitude 5.5 earthquake struck Gaoxian County in Yibin City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, shortly after midnight, leaving 13 people with minor injuries and prompting emergency response operations, according to Chinese authorities.