Venezuela quake death toll rises above 3,300
The death toll from the devastating earthquakes that struck Venezuela has risen to 3,342, as rescue teams continue large-scale search and relief operations across the affected regions.
According to Venezuela's Ministry of Information and Communication, emergency workers are still searching through collapsed buildings and damaged communities following the powerful earthquakes that hit the country on June 24.
The South American nation was shaken by two major earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude within a short period, causing widespread destruction to homes, roads and public infrastructure. Thousands of people have been displaced, while many families remain without shelter, electricity and basic services.
Authorities said more than 30,000 local emergency personnel have been deployed to the disaster zone. They have been joined by over 3,000 international rescue and humanitarian workers from several countries, who are assisting in search, medical treatment and relief efforts.
Heavy machinery, rescue dogs and specialized search equipment are being used to locate survivors trapped beneath the rubble. Temporary shelters have also been established to provide food, clean drinking water and medical care to affected residents.
Government officials said restoring essential services, including electricity, communications and transportation, remains a top priority as rescue operations continue.
Humanitarian organizations have warned that the needs of survivors will remain significant in the coming weeks, with rebuilding efforts expected to take months due to the scale of the destruction.
Authorities have urged residents to remain alert for possible aftershocks and to follow official safety instructions as emergency teams continue working around the clock in the earthquake-hit areas.