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Venezuela Earthquakes Kill 1,943 With Tens of Thousands Missing
Twin magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 quakes struck on June 24. The death toll reached 1,943 by June 30 with more than 10,000 injured and up to 6.8 million people affected.
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With epicenters in Yaracuy state west of Caracas. NPR reported the quakes were felt across Venezuela and parts of neighboring countries, with La Guaira state identified as the hardest-hit area. As of June 30 the official death toll stood at 1,943 people and more than 10,000 were injured, according to Jorge Rodríguez.
Tens of thousands remained unaccounted for. A NASA analysis of satellite data estimated 58,870 buildings were likely damaged or destroyed. 's International Organization for Migration said. The U.N. agreed with Venezuela's government to procure 10,000 body bags.
A 3-year-old boy named Klieber Morán was pulled alive from rubble in La Guaira six days after the quakes. " One hundred forty-six Venezuelans deported from the United States arrived hours before the quakes. The hotel where they were being processed collapsed, and it remains unclear whether any survived.
Alonso Guanipa Toyo said his 32-year-old brother Víctor is among the missing deportees. The United States announced it would send search and rescue teams and military assets while committing $150 million to charities and U.N. agencies.
The European Union pledged more than $5 million in aid and hundreds of responders and activated its Copernicus satellite service. The United Kingdom sent specialist teams and more than $2 million. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva announced firefighters, civil defense professionals, a field hospital and medical supplies.
India sent humanitarian relief and medical supplies. China pledged humanitarian support. Residents in Los Corales, La Guaira state, have pulled corpses from collapsed buildings using garbage bags and plastic sheets.
Rosalia Bustamante said government delays in delivering rescue equipment cost lives. Construction worker Julio Meléndez reported that police required two days to verify his permit and jackhammer receipt before allowing access to a disaster zone. Thousands of people are living on sidewalks, parks or soccer fields.
