Venezuela Earthquake Death Toll Rises to 6,438 Two Months After Quakes

Venezuela’s official death toll from two consecutive earthquakes that struck near the country’s coast on June 24 has climbed to 6,438, according to the latest figures announced Monday—up from 6,301 reported last week. Rescue operations for missing persons continue nearly two months after the disaster.

Scale and impact of the twin quakes

The earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 on the Richter scale, hit a coastal region of Venezuela on June 24. They triggered the collapse of at least 190 buildings.

Despite the passage of approximately two months, relatives of the missing and rescue teams remain active among the rubble. Official statistics reflect extensive damage across affected areas.

Housing destruction and displacement

Authorities recorded damage to no fewer than 60,000 homes across varying degrees of severity. Of those, around 24,000 homes have been declared uninhabitable.

Thousands of residents have been displaced into temporary camps, where living conditions are difficult and unstable. The government’s effort to provide alternative housing for affected families continues at a limited pace.

Heavy rainfall over the weekend in Caracas worsened conditions for displaced residents, washing away some tents sheltering people who lost their homes in the quakes.

To date, only 335 replacement homes have been delivered out of the 4,000 the government pledged to hand over to affected households by year-end.

With searches for missing persons still underway and thousands remaining in temporary camps, the updated fatality count underscores the prolonged humanitarian consequences of the June 24 earthquakes. Authorities face mounting challenges in securing habitable housing for families whose homes were damaged or rendered unsafe.