Venezuela Earthquake Death Toll Rises to 2,295; Government Response Criticized
The death toll from two powerful earthquakes that struck Venezuela a week ago has reached 2,295, with 11,267 injured. A seven-day national mourning has been declared, but many residents criticize the government's slow and inadequate response to the disaster.
Venezuela's National Assembly speaker Jorge Rodríguez announced on Wednesday that the death toll from the two earthquakes that hit the country a week ago has risen to at least 2,295, while 11,267 people were injured.
The earthquakes, with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, struck near the coastal city of Morón on the evening of June 24. Since then, 782 aftershocks have been recorded, though their frequency and intensity have decreased. Officials warned, however, that the risk of another strong tremor remains.
More than 26,000 emergency workers and over 17,000 volunteers are operating in the affected areas. Search and rescue efforts continue, although hopes of finding survivors have diminished significantly. So far, 6,461 survivors have been pulled from the rubble, according to Rodríguez.
Interim President Delcy Rodríguez declared seven days of national mourning on Wednesday and expressed condolences to the victims' families. However, many citizens have criticized the government's response, calling it slow and inadequate for a disaster of this magnitude.
