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The death toll from the devastating earthquake that struck Venezuela on June 24 has continued to climb, with the latest official figures putting the number of dead at more than 5,000. The announcements, made by National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez through official channels, also detail extensive injuries, homelessness, and damage to buildings and infrastructure.

Coverage Comparison

Initial reports in late June and early July placed the death toll at under 2,000, but subsequent daily updates from the government have steadily revised the number upward. A June 29 report, citing the latest data from Venezuelan authorities, gave a toll of 1,450. By June 30, the figure had risen to 1,943. A July 6 report listed 3,342 deaths, while another report from the same day cited 3,535. Reports from July 10 and July 11 put the toll at 3,889 and then 4,118 or 4,333, depending on the report. The most recent report, dated July 23, states the death toll has reached 5,398.

Injuries have been consistently reported at 16,740 across most reports from early July onward, although earlier figures were lower (10,571 on June 30, and more than 3,200 hospitalized as of June 29). The number of people left homeless has also varied slightly: 17,907 in most reports, but 17,854 in one July 6 report and 17,345 in another. Damage to buildings has been reported as 190 completely ruined and 856 significantly damaged in most reports, while a June 29 report mentioned 774 buildings damaged or destroyed and 189 collapsed, with a total of 2,500 buildings and infrastructure facilities affected.

Key Claims

  • Death toll: The death toll from the June 24 earthquake reached 5,398 as of July 23, according to the government's daily update published by National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez. Earlier figures ranged from 1,450 to 4,333.
  • Injuries: 16,740 people have been injured, according to reports from July 5 through July 23. Earlier reports cited 10,571 injured (June 30) and 3,200 hospitalized (June 29).
  • Homelessness: 17,907 people have been left homeless according to most reports from July 10 onward; a July 6 report cited 17,854, and another July 6 report cited 17,345.
  • Rescue and aid: 6,461 people were rescued as of June 30, a figure that later rose to 6,462. Assistance was provided to 80,870 families as of June 30, and 86,794 families by July 6, with some reports mentioning 128,324 families by July 23. Medical care was provided to 28,380 individuals as of June 30, with later reports citing 28,836, 29,966, and 31,193 people treated, and 44,298 by July 23. Food aid distribution reached 9,603 metric tons by July 6, rising to 9,766 tons in July 11 reports, and 10,964.199 metric tons by July 23.
  • Building damage: 190 buildings were completely ruined and 856 sustained significant damage, according to most reports. A June 29 report said at least 774 buildings were damaged or destroyed, with 189 having completely collapsed, and more than 2,500 buildings and infrastructure facilities affected.
  • Earthquake details: The earthquake struck on the evening of June 24, with two series of tremors measuring magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5 recorded about 40 seconds apart, with epicenters located in Yaracuy state, ten kilometers apart. Over 500 aftershocks were recorded in the days following, and by July 23 the number of aftershocks had reached 1,463, according to one report.
  • Response effort: More than 26,000 military personnel, 15,467 volunteers, and 3,660 foreign rescuers were involved in relief operations as of June 30, according to a statement by Jorge Rodriguez.