Venezuela Earthquake Death Toll Rises to 4,490, Nearly 20,000 Sheltered in Temporary Camps

According to official statistics from Venezuela, the number of fatalities caused by two powerful earthquakes last month has risen to nearly 4,500 as of today. Additionally, more than 19,500 people are currently living in temporary shelters after their homes were destroyed.

As reported by AFP, the latest figures released by the Venezuelan government on its official Telegram account indicate that the death toll has increased to 4,490, with 16,740 people injured. Authorities have not disclosed the estimated number of missing persons.

On July 24, consecutive earthquakes measuring magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5 struck Venezuela’s capital, Caracas, and the coastal state of La Guaira, completely collapsing several high-rise apartment buildings into layers of rubble.

Temporary shelters for displaced families have sprung up on sports fields, plazas, and sidewalks around La Guaira state and the outskirts of Caracas. The government’s updated data today shows that 19,583 people are currently residing in these locations.

Jorge Rodriguez, President of Venezuela’s National Assembly, stated yesterday that the government will soon provide some apartments already under construction prior to the earthquake to affected families. Jorge Rodriguez is the brother of Venezuela’s acting president, Delcy Rodriguez.

He added that significant resources will still be required to build additional housing and to offer rental subsidies and home purchase loans.

He also mentioned that the government has designated over 40 plots of land in La Guaira state for new housing developments, covering a total area of approximately 584,000 square meters.

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil announced today on his Telegram account that a batch of aid materials from Russia has arrived in the country.

The U.S. Embassy also stated that it has delivered 100,000 emergency relief packages to the disaster zones. (Intern translator: Li Siqi / Editor: Hong Peiying) 1150713