Venezuela has declared seven days of national mourning after the death toll from the twin earthquakes that struck the country on June 24 rose to 2,295, according to the latest official update.
The revised toll reflects the scale of the disaster as rescue operations continue across affected regions. Authorities said more than 11,000 people have been injured, thousands have been rescued, and temporary camps are being expanded to accommodate those displaced by the earthquakes.
National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez said on Wednesday (local time) that 11,267 people had been injured and 12,841 had been affected by the disaster.
He said rescue teams had pulled 6,461 people to safety. More than 4,000 domestic and international rescue workers and volunteers remain engaged in search and relief operations.
Temporary camps expanded as rescue efforts continue
Rodriguez, who also heads the command centre overseeing temporary shelters, said authorities were rapidly equipping relief camps and relocating affected residents.
He urged health workers, firefighters and security personnel to register on the Patria platform to support housing and rehabilitation efforts.
According to the official update, 25 temporary camps are currently operational. Thirteen are in La Guaira, eight in Caracas, two in Miranda, one in Carabobo and one in Yaracuy.
Hundreds of aftershocks recorded since June 24
Authorities said Venezuela has experienced 782 aftershocks since the twin earthquakes struck on June 24. Rodriguez said both the frequency and intensity of the tremors had declined in recent days.
Acting president announces week-long national mourning
Acting president Delcy Rodriguez announced a seven-day period of national mourning beginning at 6 p.m. on Wednesday (local time).
“In honour of the memory of the victims, I have decided to decree National Mourning for seven (7) days, starting at 6:00 p.m. today,” she said in a statement shared on social media.
“In these moments of profound sadness, we embrace those who suffer from this tragedy and reaffirm our commitment to accompany and protect them,” she said.
“Venezuela’s soul is torn by the human losses caused by the devastating earthquakes,” Rodriguez added.
The earthquakes struck Venezuela on June 24 and triggered a large-scale rescue and relief operation that remains underway.