The death toll from the devastating twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela last week has surpassed 1,700, as rescue teams continue searching for survivors trapped beneath the rubble and thousands of people remain missing.
Venezuelan authorities say at least 1,719 people have been confirmed dead, while more than 5,000 have been injured. Tens of thousands are still reported missing, and hopes of finding more survivors are fading as rescue operations enter a critical phase.
The twin earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude, struck north-central Venezuela on June 24, causing widespread destruction in the capital, Caracas, and the coastal state of La Guaira, where entire neighborhoods and residential buildings collapsed.
International rescue teams and humanitarian organizations remain on the ground, while the United Nations has expanded its emergency response, warning that recovery will take years and that millions of people could be affected by the disaster.
Authorities continue to assess the full extent of the damage, with concerns growing over the structural safety of buildings in the affected areas and the rising humanitarian needs of displaced residents.
