Venezuela Earthquake Death Toll Rises to 5,069 as Recovery Continues
The death toll from two powerful earthquakes that shook Venezuela last month rose to 5,069 late Friday, local officials said. The interim government of President Delcy Rodriguez added in a statement that the number of injured remained at 16,740, the same as in the last 11 days.
Ongoing rescue and debris-clearing operations have led to a rising death toll, especially in La Guaira, the coastal state near the Caribbean Sea that was hardest hit by the earthquakes. A total of 1,331 aftershocks were recorded through Friday.
The Venezuelan government announced that 856 buildings have been damaged and 190 buildings have been completely destroyed since the 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes on June 24. Hundreds of other structures such as bridges and roads were also affected.
