Overview
- Two near‑simultaneous quakes of about magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 struck northern Venezuela on June 24, flattening large parts of La Guaira, Caraballeda and nearby coastal towns.
- Official tallies have continued to rise, with reports near 1,943 deaths and more than 10,500 injured while the United Nations estimates roughly 50,000 people remain unaccounted for.
- Satellite analysis using ESA radar and NASA assessment estimates about 58,870 buildings were damaged or destroyed and roughly 1.2 million tonnes of debris were generated in the worst‑hit areas.
- Dozens of foreign rescue teams and more than 2,000 international rescuers have deployed and the United States boosted humanitarian aid to about $300 million and sent military assets to support logistics and port access.
- Local residents have often led improvised rescues as morgues and hospitals overflow, identity and mortuary systems break down, and the World Health Organization warns of an increased risk of vaccine‑preventable and waterborne disease outbreaks.