Death Toll Rises to Nearly 3,000 in Venezuela Earthquake Disaster

The official death toll from the devastating twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela on June 24 has climbed to 2,954, as international rescue teams begin to wind down operations ten days after the disaster.

The update, released Saturday, marks an increase of more than 300 fatalities since Friday. While the government has yet to provide official figures for those still missing, the United Nations estimates that up to 50,000 people remain unaccounted for following the powerful 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude shocks.

With the critical 72-hour survival window long passed, international search and rescue units—including teams from the United States—are preparing to depart. Interim President Delcy Rodriguez held a ceremony on Saturday to honor these teams and their rescue dogs for their efforts.

Despite the official transition away from search-and-rescue operations, many families continue to dig through the wreckage of flattened residential complexes in the hardest-hit coastal region of La Guaira, hoping to recover the bodies of their loved ones for burial.

“We’re still working, still searching for bodies,” said volunteer Francisco Sasquia, who is aiding recovery efforts in La Guaira.

The government’s response to the disaster has faced criticism from citizens, many of whom argue that the initial aid response was too slow, leaving them to manage rescue efforts largely on their own during the first crucial hours. President Rodriguez defended the state’s actions, stating that thousands of troops and officials were mobilized to assist.

The United Nations estimates the physical damage from the twin quakes at $6.7 billion, a figure representing roughly 6% of Venezuela’s GDP. The disaster strikes a country already grappling with long-term economic instability and deteriorating infrastructure.

Key infrastructure, including the Maiquetia International Airport, sustained significant damage. While the airport has partially reopened to facilitate humanitarian aid, commercial flights remain suspended. The government has announced that a recovery plan for the airport is currently under development.

As the nation enters a period of mourning, the focus is shifting from immediate rescue to the immense challenges of recovery and reconstruction for thousands left homeless in the wake of one of Latin America’s deadliest seismic disasters.

-BSS/AFP