Venezuela Earthquake Death Toll Nears 3,000; Thousands Still Missing

The death toll from Venezuela’s devastating twin earthquakes has risen to nearly 3,000, according to official figures released Saturday. The disaster, which struck on June 24 with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, has left thousands homeless and seeking shelter in temporary camps.

While the government has yet to provide an official count of the missing, the United Nations estimates that as many as 50,000 people remain unaccounted for. The coastal area of La Guaira, north of Caracas, was hit hardest, with scores of residential complexes completely flattened.

Ten days after the disaster, international rescue teams from the United States and South America are winding down operations. Interim President Delcy Rodriguez recently honored these teams for their efforts, even as she acknowledged the "profound grief" gripping the nation. However, many Venezuelans have expressed anger, accusing the government of a slow initial response that forced families to dig through rubble with their bare hands.

The economic impact is staggering. The UN estimates $6.7 billion in physical damage, representing six percent of Venezuela’s GDP. This crisis further strains a country already struggling with long-term economic instability. While the Maiquetia international airport has partially reopened for humanitarian flights, commercial travel remains suspended as authorities draft a restoration plan.

As heavy machinery begins clearing collapsed structures, many families remain at the sites, desperate to recover the bodies of their loved ones for proper burial