Venezuela earthquake death toll rises to 6,438
Nearly two months after devastating earthquakes struck Venezuela, the official death toll has risen to 6,438, with rescuers still searching for missing people.
Authorities in Venezuela have announced that the death toll from recent earthquakes has climbed to 6,438, up from the previously reported figure of 6,301 announced on August 10.
On June 24, two powerful earthquakes measuring magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 struck Venezuela's La Guaira state near the coastal city of Maiquetía, followed by hundreds of aftershocks. The disaster caused extensive damage across the region.
Search continues
Nearly two months after the disaster, relatives and rescue workers are still searching through the rubble of collapsed buildings for missing people. The earthquakes completely destroyed at least 190 buildings, while at least 60,000 homes were damaged. Of those, roughly 24,000 are no longer habitable.
Difficult conditions in camps
Thousands of people who lost their homes continue to live in overcrowded temporary camps, many of which lack running water and adequate sanitation. Last weekend, heavy rainfall in the capital, Caracas, destroyed some of the tents housing earthquake victims.
Government promises
The government of Venezuela's interim president, Delcy Rodríguez, has pledged to provide 4,000 new homes by the end of the year for people who lost their housing. So far, only 335 of the promised homes have been completed.
