Death Toll in Venezuela Earthquakes Surpasses 4,490 Amid Massive Destruction

More than two weeks after two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela, the death toll has risen above 4,490, with tens of thousands still reported missing. According to Venezuelan authorities, 16,740 people have been injured, and numerous buildings have been completely destroyed. Rescue teams, including an Israeli delegation, continue to search the rubble daily alongside families of the missing.

The hardest-hit area is the coastal state of La Guaira, declared a disaster zone, where entire buildings such as a waterfront hotel in Macuto were leveled. Residents face severe disruptions, including lack of drinking water, poor internet connectivity, and suspended gas services to prevent leaks and explosions. On Friday, the capital experienced another 3.0 magnitude tremor, causing panic and building evacuations among a population still recovering from the initial quakes.

The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction estimates the physical damage to housing and infrastructure at around $37 billion. In response, the UN issued an urgent appeal last Wednesday for nearly $300 million to assist 1.3 million people in immediate need. Mobile kitchens, clinics, and hospitals have been deployed in public spaces across La Guaira to support the affected communities.

The scale of recovery efforts required in Venezuela remains enormous as rescue operations continue and humanitarian aid is mobilized to address the widespread devastation and ongoing crisis.