The official death toll from the devastating double earthquake that struck Venezuela on June 24 continues to rise—reaching 4,490 as of Sunday, July 12, 2026, according to the country’s interim government. Rescue teams are still pulling bodies from the rubble of collapsed buildings across the hardest-hit areas. The number of injured remains unchanged at 16,740. The previous official count, released two days earlier on Saturday, stood at 4,333 fatalities.
Widespread Destruction Across Northern Venezuela
The twin quakes—measuring 7.2 and 7.5 on the Richter scale—struck just 39 seconds apart, triggering the worst disaster in decades across northern Venezuela. The capital Caracas, its surrounding municipalities, and the neighboring state of La Guaira were especially hard hit. Thousands of displaced residents now live in makeshift camps set up on sports fields, public squares, and sidewalks.
According to Jorge Rodríguez, president of Venezuela’s National Assembly, more than 19,500 affected people are currently sheltering in these temporary settlements.
Ongoing Rescue Efforts and Infrastructure Damage
Rescue workers from Venezuela and international teams continue their exhausting efforts amid unstable ruins. Official figures indicate over 850 buildings sustained damage, with 190 completely collapsed.
Authorities have refrained from estimating the number of missing persons. However, the United Nations had warned early on—just two days after the disaster—that the figure could reach as high as 50,000.
International Aid Arrives
Humanitarian assistance continues to flow into the Latin American nation. A Russian cargo flight carrying food and emergency supplies landed yesterday, Foreign Minister Yvan Gil announced via Telegram. Meanwhile, the U.S. Embassy in Caracas reported that over 100,000 relief packages containing essential items have already been distributed across affected regions.