The death toll from twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela this week has surpassed 4,000, according to government officials.
At least 4,118 people lost their lives and 16,740 were injured in the consecutive quakes on June 24, which completely devastated several districts in the coastal state of La Guaira, as reported by Venezuelan parliamentary leader Jorge Rodríguez on Telegram.
Thousands remain unaccounted for.
The stronger quake registered a magnitude of 7.5—the largest to hit Venezuela in more than a century—just 39 seconds after a 7.2‑magnitude foreshock, reducing whole high‑rise apartment blocks to rubble.
Although rescue teams have halted searches for survivors, families persist in combing the ruins for their missing relatives, hoping to give them a proper burial.
On Friday, a 3.0‑magnitude tremor struck central Caracas, briefly causing panic and prompting evacuations of several buildings.
The magnitude of Venezuela’s recovery effort is colossal, complicated by years of economic decline that have crippled state services.
On Wednesday, the United Nations launched an urgent appeal for nearly $300 million to fund relief operations.
Venezuela’s interim president, Delcy Rodríguez, has advocated for the unfreezing of overseas assets to support reconstruction.
She announced that she has requested King Charles III to release approximately 30 tons of Venezuelan gold that remain frozen under British sanctions.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
Cover image: ‘Not a single person hasn’t helped’ dealing with the aftermath of Venezuela’s earthquakes © France 24 
