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)