Daijiworld Media Network – Caracas
Caracas, Jul 7: The death toll from the devastating twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela has risen to 3,535, with authorities continuing search and recovery operations nearly two weeks after the disaster.
National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez said on Monday that nearly 17,000 people have been injured, around 6,500 rescued and more than 18,000 displaced since the earthquakes struck on Jun. 24.
The twin earthquakes, measuring magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5, occurred within a minute of each other, causing widespread destruction, toppling buildings and severely damaging the country's main international airport.
Acting President Delcy Rodríguez, while reviewing the damage at Maiquetia International Airport, said the government had ordered preparations to resume commercial flight operations using a parallel runway as soon as possible under a phased operational schedule.
According to official figures, more than 850 buildings sustained damage, including 190 structures that collapsed. However, an opposition-backed estimate claims that over 30,000 people remain unaccounted for.
Search-and-rescue teams continued to pull survivors from the rubble until Sunday, while recovery efforts remained focused on the worst-hit coastal state of La Guaira. Authorities have begun digging trenches to bury unidentified victims, as residents continue searching through debris for personal belongings before heavy machinery clears the affected areas.
Residents in several parts of La Guaira have complained that rescue teams have yet to reach some collapsed homes, while fuel shortages have reportedly slowed the deployment of heavy equipment needed for debris removal.
The government's handling of the disaster has come under criticism, with concerns raised over delays in rescue operations and the distribution of relief supplies. Despite the criticism, Rodríguez defended the administration's response.
Speaking during Venezuela's Independence Day celebrations on Sunday, she renewed her appeal for the United States to lift sanctions on the country, arguing that broader access to international financing is essential to accelerate reconstruction efforts following the disaster.