The number of people killed in Venezuela’s devastating double earthquake has continued to rise, with government officials reporting thousands of fatalities and injuries as emergency crews press ahead with search-and-rescue operations across the country’s hardest-hit regions.
The latest figures released on Sunday show a significant increase in casualties following the powerful seismic disaster that struck west of Caracas.
Official Death and Injury Figures Increase
According to the Venezuelan government’s updated assessment, the confirmed death toll has reached 3,342, compared with 2,954 reported a day earlier.
Authorities also said the number of injured has climbed to 16,740 from Saturday’s total of 16,592, reflecting the ongoing identification and treatment of victims as rescue efforts continue.
Hundreds of additional deaths were confirmed during the past 24 hours.
Thousands Rescued Since Powerful Double Earthquake
Government officials said emergency responders have rescued 6,462 people since the disaster unfolded near the town of Montalbán, west of the capital, Caracas.
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) classified the event as a doublet earthquake, with a magnitude 7.2 earthquake followed just 39 seconds later by a stronger magnitude 7.5 tremor.
The closely timed earthquakes caused widespread destruction across several regions, triggering an extensive emergency response.
Displacement Continues to Grow
The number of people left homeless has also increased as damage assessments continue.
Officials reported that 17,345 people are now without homes, compared with 16,309 recorded the previous day.
The government added that assistance has so far been provided to 86,794 families affected by the disaster through emergency relief operations.
Nearly 1,000 Aftershocks Recorded
Seismic activity has remained intense in the aftermath of the main earthquakes.
Authorities said the number of recorded aftershocks has risen to 995, up from 942 reported on Saturday, highlighting the continuing geological instability in the affected areas.
The ongoing tremors have complicated rescue operations and heightened concerns among displaced residents.
Massive Emergency Response Remains Underway
Thousands of emergency personnel remain deployed across the disaster zone.
According to the government, nearly 30,000 responders are participating in relief efforts, supported by more than 27,000 volunteers and 4,088 international rescue workers.
Search teams continue to comb damaged buildings in hopes of locating additional survivors while humanitarian assistance is being distributed to affected communities.
Building Damage Assessment Continues
The official count of damaged structures remained unchanged from the previous day’s report.
Authorities continue to list 856 buildings as either damaged or destroyed, including 190 structures that completely collapsed during the earthquakes.
However, a preliminary satellite analysis previously conducted by NASA suggested the scale of destruction could be significantly greater, estimating that approximately 58,870 buildings may have suffered damage or total destruction.
Among the areas most severely affected is La Guaira state, located north of Caracas, where widespread structural damage has been reported as recovery operations continue.
