The Venezuelan government has increased the official death toll from the late-June earthquakes to 4,490 [1].

This update reflects the scale of a national crisis that continues to displace thousands of citizens and strain emergency recovery efforts months after the initial disaster.

Vice President Delcy Rodríguez and National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez said the updated figures on Sunday, July 12, 2024 [1]. The casualties resulted from a series of powerful earthquakes that struck the country on June 24, 2024 [1].

In addition to the fatalities, authorities said that 16,740 people were injured [2]. Rescue operations have been extensive, with 6,462 people rescued from the debris [1]. Despite these efforts, the recovery process remains active as officials continue to locate missing persons.

On Saturday, recovery teams found 215 bodies [6]. An additional 157 deaths were reported on July 12 [4]. The humanitarian situation remains critical, with 315 victims still unidentified [6].

The displacement caused by the seismic activity is widespread. Approximately 18,000 people are now homeless [7]. This loss of housing compounds the medical and logistical challenges facing the government as it manages the aftermath of the June events.

Officials said the recovery of bodies and the identification of victims remain primary focuses of the current operation. The scale of the injury toll — exceeding 16,000 people — indicates a massive need for long-term healthcare and rehabilitation services across the affected regions [2].

“The Venezuelan government has increased the official death toll from the late-June earthquakes to 4,490.”

The steady increase in the death toll and the high number of unidentified victims suggest that the full extent of the disaster's impact may not be known for some time. With thousands homeless and injured, the Venezuelan government faces a significant infrastructure and public health challenge that will require sustained resources beyond the initial emergency rescue phase.