Venezuela Earthquake Death Toll Reaches 4,333; Housing Aid Distribution to Begin

The death toll from two earthquakes that struck Venezuela on June 24 has risen to 4,333, National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez said on Saturday. Rodríguez told reporters that 315 of the dead have not yet been identified. The official tally of injured stands at 16,740, while 6,462 people have been rescued and about 17,000 left homeless.

Rodríguez said 856 buildings were affected, of which 190 collapsed completely or suffered structural collapse. Government estimates indicate 25,000 homes are needed overall. Authorities have identified around 40 plots of land totaling about 584,000 square meters in Osma and Chupsa for housing projects.

Distribution of housing to those affected will begin next week, with Interim President Delcy Rodríguez allocating the first 200 homes. Search operations continue at one or two uncertain sites. "As long as there is life, there is hope.

We still have one or two sites where the situation remains uncertain, active sites where we are searching for survivors," Rodríguez said.