Death toll from Venezuelan earthquakes rises to 3,342

CARACAS, July 06 (YPA) – The death toll from the two earthquakes that struck Venezuela has risen to 3,342, the Venezuelan Ministry of Information announced on Monday.

The ministry reported that 16,470 people were injured and 17,345 were displaced, as rescue and relief operations continued in the affected areas.

Later ministry data indicated that 6,462 people had been rescued so far, while rescue teams continued searching for survivors under the rubble.

National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez said that medical teams had treated more than 22,000 injured people, with the participation of tens of thousands of local rescue workers and thousands of international volunteers.

Acting President Delcy Rodríguez defended the government’s actions during a speech commemorating Independence Day, at a time when public criticism is mounting over the slow official response.

It is noteworthy that the two earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 on the Richter scale, caused dozens of buildings to collapse, particularly in the La Guaira area near the capital, Caracas, in one of the worst seismic disasters in Latin American history, while the United Nations estimates that tens of thousands are missing.