Venezuela Earthquake Death Toll Rises to 2,645 as Israeli Aid Team Arrives

The death toll from two powerful earthquakes that struck Venezuela last week has risen to 2,645, according to the country's Ministry of Information. Over 12,000 people were injured, and approximately 15,000 remain homeless due to the disaster. The earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 on the Richter scale, hit the capital Caracas and surrounding areas, causing widespread destruction and economic damage estimated in the billions of dollars. The second quake was the strongest to hit Venezuela in a century.

In response, Venezuela's Vice President and acting President Delcy Rodríguez declared eight days of national mourning. During an international press conference, Rodríguez emphasized that search and rescue operations are ongoing across multiple sites to locate missing persons. She also announced the arrival of a professional Israeli expert team, invited through coordination with the Venezuelan Jewish community. This team is conducting damage assessments, infrastructure rehabilitation, and using advanced technology to detect signs of life and recover bodies trapped under rubble.

The entire Venezuelan public and private healthcare system has been mobilized to treat the injured. The Israeli aid mission was dispatched earlier this week after thorough coordination led by Venezuela's National Security Headquarters, despite the absence of formal diplomatic relations between Venezuela and Israel. Satellite images reveal extensive destruction in areas such as La Guaira, where residents are lining up for food aid.

The earthquakes have caused the collapse of numerous buildings and left tens of thousands displaced. Initial reports two days after the disaster indicated over 1,400 fatalities, 3,000 injuries, and 50,000 homeless, figures that have since increased significantly as rescue efforts continue.