The death toll from a massive earthquake in Venezuela has risen to 2,645 people [1].
The scale of the disaster underscores the vulnerability of northern coastal infrastructure to seismic events and the difficulty of conducting large-scale rescues in rugged terrain.
The earthquake struck on Sept. 24, 2023 [1], registering a magnitude of 7.8 [1]. For 10 days, the Venezuelan government and international rescue teams have focused their efforts on La Guaira state and surrounding areas [1].
According to Venezuelan authorities, the disaster has left more than 20,000 people injured [1]. The humanitarian crisis is further compounded by a massive number of missing persons, with estimates exceeding 38,000 people [1].
Rescue workers have faced significant obstacles during the search for survivors. Heavy rainfall and frequent aftershocks have hampered efforts to clear debris from collapsed homes, and public buildings [1].
In addition to the casualties, the displacement of the population has reached critical levels. Approximately 15,000 people have been internally displaced as a result of the tremors [1].
"The number of dead has exceeded 2,600," said a YTN anchor [1].
Correspondent Shin Yoon-jung said that authorities have confirmed 2,645 deaths and over 10,000 injuries as of the 10th day following the quake [1].
“The death toll from a massive earthquake in Venezuela has risen to 2,645 people.”
The high ratio of missing persons to confirmed deaths suggests that the final casualty count could rise significantly as rescue operations transition to recovery. The combination of a high-magnitude quake and subsequent weather-related disasters highlights a compounding crisis that may overwhelm local emergency services and necessitate long-term international aid for reconstruction.
