Daijiworld Media Network - Caracas

Caracas, Jul 18: The death toll from the devastating earthquakes that struck Venezuela on June 24 has increased to 5,069, according to National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez.

In an official update shared on Telegram on Friday, Rodriguez said the number of injured remained at 16,740, while rescue teams have successfully saved 6,462 people since the disaster.

Authorities said 21,235 displaced residents are currently being accommodated in 107 temporary relief camps established across the capital, Caracas, and the neighbouring states of La Guaira, Miranda and Aragua.

Officials also reported that 1,331 aftershocks have been recorded since the powerful 7.2- and 7.5-magnitude earthquakes struck more than three weeks ago, complicating relief and recovery efforts.

La Guaira, the state that suffered the worst destruction, continues to house the largest number of displaced people, with 10,981 residents staying in temporary shelters. Caracas has 6,133 evacuees, while 1,323 people remain in relief camps in Miranda.

Meanwhile, Venezuela's acting President Delcy Rodriguez thanked the international community for its support in assisting victims of the disaster.

Speaking during an inspection of a humanitarian aid collection centre in Caracas, where more than 2,000 tonnes of relief supplies are being sorted for distribution, Rodriguez expressed appreciation to the 28 countries that have contributed assistance.

She said the Venezuelan government would ensure transparency in the distribution process so that every contributing nation could see how its aid was reaching those affected.

Rodriguez added that the overwhelming global response had reassured Venezuela that it was not facing the crisis alone, stressing that the country's priority now is to rebuild devastated communities and restore normalcy in the earthquake-hit regions.