Venezuela's Health Ministry announced on June 25 that the death toll from a series of earthquakes has risen to 235.
Carlos Alvarado, the Minister of Health, stated during a broadcast on state television VTV that as of 7 p.m. local time, more than 4,300 injured individuals have been treated in the public healthcare system. He noted that approximately 235 patients arrived at medical facilities without vital signs or died shortly after arrival.
This figure marks an increase from earlier reports by Jorge Rodriguez, the President of the National Assembly, who had indicated 1,520 injuries and 188 fatalities during a briefing earlier that day.
The earthquakes struck shortly after 6 p.m. local time on June 25, with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, occurring in the region west of Morón, approximately 168 kilometers from the capital, Caracas. The 7.5 magnitude quake is noted as the strongest in 126 years since a 7.7 magnitude quake in 1900, making it the second most powerful earthquake recorded in Venezuela's history.
In response, Delcy Rodriguez, the acting president of Venezuela, declared a national emergency. However, the reported figures do not include the most severely affected La Guaira state, suggesting that the casualty count may continue to rise.
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) assessed that the earthquake is likely to result in significant loss of life and extensive property damage. Initial estimates suggest that fatalities could reach as high as 10,000, with worst-case scenarios predicting up to 100,000 deaths. As rescue operations continue, the number of casualties is expected to increase further.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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