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The death toll from the twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela on June 24 has risen to nearly 3,000, according to official figures reported on Saturday. International rescue teams have begun winding down search operations for survivors in the rubble, as the critical window for finding people alive closes.

Coverage comparison

Reporting on the disaster has varied in figures and emphasis. Buenos Aires Times, Dawn, and South China Morning Post each reported that official figures on Saturday showed nearly 3,000 killed. Al Jazeera reported a death toll of 1,430, while Dawn also carried an earlier report citing over 1,700 dead and 5,000 injured. Fox News reported a death toll of at least 589, later updated to at least 1,400, while also noting over 68,900 citizens unaccounted for. BBC reported the death toll reached 1,430 with 3,238 injured.

The missing figure also varies across reports: Al Jazeera cited an estimated 51,000 missing, while other accounts (Buenos Aires Times, Dawn, South China Morning Post) said tens of thousands remain unaccounted for, and the United Nations has estimated as many as 50,000 missing, according to Dawn. Fox News reported 68,000 to 68,900 unaccounted for.

Key claims

  • Nearly 3,000 dead: Official figures on Saturday put the death toll at 2,954, according to Buenos Aires Times, Dawn, and South China Morning Post. Fatalities jumped by more than 300 from Friday.
  • Missing in the tens of thousands: Buenos Aires Times and Dawn reported tens of thousands still missing. The UN estimated as many as 50,000 unaccounted for, according to Dawn.
  • Rescue operations winding down: International teams, including some US squads and South American teams, were starting to finish up rescue operations, according to Buenos Aires Times and Dawn. The Los Angeles County fire department rescue team was ending operations after searches showed no signs of life, with teams from Florida and Virginia packing up to leave.
  • Critical 72-hour rescue window: The critical window for rescues in disasters typically ends after 72 hours, though a few people were found alive this week, according to Buenos Aires Times, Dawn, and South China Morning Post.
  • UN ordering 10,000 body bags: The UN is procuring 10,000 body bags for Venezuela, warning the death toll is likely higher than reported, as reported by Al Jazeera.
  • Building damage: The twin quakes likely damaged or destroyed 58,870 buildings, according to a preliminary assessment of satellite data published by Nasa, as reported by Dawn.
  • Pope Leo expressed solidarity: Pope Leo expressed solidarity with Venezuelans after the earthquakes, as reported by Al Jazeera.

Perspectives

The Venezuelan government, led by interim President Delcy Rodríguez, has defended its response. At a ceremony to hand out medals to international teams, Rodríguez said the country is experiencing "a profound grief gripping our people, where families still hold out hope of finding loved ones alive, people who have lost everything."

However, many Venezuelans have expressed anger at what they see as the government's slow response, with families spending initial hours digging out loved ones themselves before international teams arrived, according to Buenos Aires Times and Dawn.