Venezuela Earthquake Death Toll Nears 4,500 as International Aid Arrives
The official death toll from the devastating double earthquake that struck Venezuela on 24 June has reached 4,490, with 16,740 injured and tens of thousands still unaccounted for, according to government figures released on 12 July. The disaster, triggered by two powerful earthquakes striking just 39 seconds apart, is now one of the deadliest seismic events in the region’s recent history.
The Disaster
On the afternoon of 24 June, a magnitude 7.2 foreshock was followed 39 seconds later by a magnitude 7.5 mainshock, both centered in the Veroes Municipality of Yaracuy state, west of San Felipe. According to the United States Geological Survey, the mainshock was the strongest in Venezuela since the 1900 San Narciso earthquake. The shaking, which lasted approximately 90 to 120 seconds, was felt across Colombia, northern Brazil, the ABC islands, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and Trinidad and Tobago.
The earthquakes struck on the Battle of Carabobo national holiday, meaning many Venezuelans were at home rather than at work when the tremors hit. The coastal state of La Guaira was the worst affected, with 80% of buildings collapsing, according to DW. Over 850 buildings were affected across the region, with 190 completely collapsed. NASA satellite data indicates more than 58,000 buildings were damaged or destroyed.
Rising Casualty Figures
The death toll has climbed steadily since the initial quakes. National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez confirmed that 315 bodies — 7% of the total deceased — remain unidentified. The government has not released an official figure for the number of missing, though the United Nations under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs, Tom Fletcher, estimated more than 50,000 people were unaccounted for in the days following the disaster, as reported by Diario Libre.
Foreign casualties have been significant. Portugal confirmed 100 deaths, including 59 dual citizens. France reported 45 dead and 50 missing, while Spain confirmed 40 deaths and 138 missing. At least 24 Colombian citizens, 16 Italian-Venezuelans, and 9 Chinese nationals were among the dead. Three Americans were also killed, with 12 more missing. Additionally, more than 100 Venezuelan deportees from a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement flight went missing after their hotel collapsed, with at least 32 confirmed dead.
Humanitarian Crisis
More than 19,000 displaced people are living in makeshift camps set up in sports stadiums, schools, public squares, and along sidewalks. Schools must be vacated by September for the new academic year, requiring approximately 25,000 homes to be built. The government has allocated over 40 plots of land in La Guaira state, covering 584,000 square meters, for new housing construction.
The World Health Organization has warned of potential epidemic outbreaks among the displaced population, as conditions in the camps raise concerns about waterborne diseases and other health risks.
International Response
International aid has begun to arrive. A Russian cargo shipment carrying food and supplies reached Venezuela on 12 July, according to Foreign Minister Yvan Gil. The US Embassy in Caracas delivered 100,000 assistance kits to affected areas. Costa Rica has deployed rescue teams, and Belgium and Luxembourg dispatched aid via a Belgian plane from Melsbroek airport.
The United Nations has called for approximately $300 million in recovery funds. Acting President Delcy Rodríguez has formally requested that the Bank of England release Venezuela’s gold reserves for reconstruction efforts, stating: “This gold belongs to our people and should be used to serve them.” She has also asked the International Monetary Fund to release emergency financial resources.
Political and Economic Context
The disaster has struck a nation already grappling with severe economic crisis, hyperinflation, and political instability. The government’s response has drawn criticism, with allegations of a slow response and a media blackout in the immediate aftermath. The request to access gold reserves held in London underscores ongoing tensions between Caracas and international financial institutions.
What’s Next
As search and rescue operations continue, the death toll is expected to rise further. The estimated direct damage stands at US$37 billion, and the long-term reconstruction effort will require substantial international support. Key questions remain: Will the Bank of England release Venezuela’s gold reserves? How will the ongoing political crisis affect aid delivery? And can the government provide adequate housing for the estimated 25,000 families who need shelter before schools reopen in September?
The disaster serves as a stark reminder of the seismic risks facing northern Venezuela, where the Caribbean and South American plates converge along the San Sebastián fault system — a geological reality that experts say makes future large earthquakes inevitable.