Venezuela National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez announced that the death toll from the two severe earthquakes on June 24 has risen by 148 to 5,546, and the number of injured to 16,740.
According to national media reports, approximately 1,500 aftershocks have been recorded in the region since June 24.
According to United Nations (UN) data, approximately 650,000 people were directly affected by the disaster, of whom 230,000 are children. The World Bank Group estimates that the direct material damage caused by the earthquakes in Venezuela amounts to $19.6 billion.
In the disaster zone, more than 60,000 people, including 30,000 volunteers, are continuing search and rescue, debris removal, and humanitarian aid distribution efforts.
Two major earthquakes in Venezuela
According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), two earthquakes of magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 struck Venezuela on June 24, 39 seconds apart.
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) had assessed the direct material damage of the earthquakes at $6.7 billion on June 26. The World Bank later updated this figure to $19.6 billion.