Death Toll from Venezuelan Earthquakes Exceeds 1,700 as UN Prepares for More Casualties

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A man sits on a pile of debris in La Guaira, Venezuela, after the earthquakes on June 29. [Photo=AP, Yonhap News]

Venezuela's death toll from a series of earthquakes has surpassed 1,700. As the critical 72-hour rescue window has passed, the United Nations and the Venezuelan government are preparing for further casualties by securing 10,000 body bags.

On June 29, Jorge Rodriguez, the President of the Venezuelan National Assembly, announced in a televised address that the official death count from the earthquakes, which struck on June 24 with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, has risen to 1,719, an increase of 269 from the previous day.

In addition to the fatalities, there are 5,034 reported injuries and 15,866 people displaced. Since the initial quakes, over 600 aftershocks have been recorded, and 855 buildings nationwide have been damaged, with 189 completely collapsed.

Currently, 40 rescue teams from 27 countries, comprising about 2,000 personnel, are continuing search operations. The UN stated, "We are securing 10,000 body bags in collaboration with the Venezuelan government."

Gianluca Rampolla del Tindaro, the UN's resident coordinator in Venezuela, expressed during a virtual briefing from UN headquarters in New York, "This preparation is based on very unfortunate circumstances, and we hope the actual number of victims is lower than anticipated."

Additionally, a tropical heat wave accompanied by heavy rainfall is approaching the region. The UN warned that this could lead to further harm for residents who have lost their homes and are currently displaced, emphasizing the need for emergency relief and temporary shelter support.

* This article has been translated by AI.