The death toll from Venezuela's devastating twin earthquakes has risen to 3,342, according to the country's information ministry, as rescue teams continue searching affected areas and survivors face an uncertain recovery.
The latest official figures show 16,470 people have been injured, while 17,345 have been left homeless after the powerful quakes caused widespread destruction across parts of the country.
Thousands remain in temporary shelters as authorities work to restore essential services and deliver aid.
The updated toll came as interim President Delcy Rodriguez used a speech marking Venezuela's 215th Independence Day to defend her government's response, following mounting criticism from residents and opposition figures who have accused officials of reacting too slowly to the disaster.
"We deployed the security forces immediately," she said.
She also announced the creation of a new military unit dedicated to responding to future emergencies and natural disasters, saying it would strengthen the country's ability to deal with disasters.
Since the magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 earthquakes struck on 24 June, Venezuela has recorded 995 aftershocks, according to the latest report.
Along La Guaira's battered coastline, scenes of makeshift recovery have become commonplace, as displaced families use ropes and bare hands to lower furniture and household goods from buildings that engineers have not yet cleared as safe.
Dayali Lopez, a quake survivor who spent three nights sleeping in the street after her home was rendered uninhabitable, said she returned to her damaged building to retrieve her belongings despite the risk, driven by economic necessity.
"You risk your life because we're in a politically broken country," Lopez said, standing beside a pile of salvaged possessions on the street.
Lopez said she prays each time she steps back through the door of her damaged building. "Every time I walk through that door I say, 'Dear God, if you gave me a second chance, please don't let me get hurt when I go in to get my things,'" she said.
Read more:
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) said on Wednesday they attacked two U.S. vessels and eight oil tankers in the Persian Gulf, calling the st...
Iran says it has delivered on its promise of a “faster, heavier and more painful” response to Washington, striking U.S. bases, warships...
Climate leaders in Baku are calling for a shift from climate commitments to concrete action as day three of Baku Climate Action Week focuses on imp...
Four people were killed, including a child, in Ukrainian strikes on the Russian port city of Novorossiysk overnight, according to the governor of the Krasnodar region. Ukraine's drone forces commander, Robert Brovdi, said Russian military ships were destroyed in the attacks.
A TV channel was struck during a live broadcast on Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, as Russian strikes on Kyiv killed at least three people, the city's Mayor Vitali Klitschko said. Meanwhile, drones hit civilian infrastructure in Russia's southwestern Saratov region.
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said its forces destroyed five Iranian crude oil carriers after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) allegedly launched two ballistic missile attacks against a U.S. Navy warship over the past two days.
U.S. special envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff have held talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv on Sunday on efforts to end Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Indonesia has reopened Jakarta's main airport and four others after volcanic ash from Mount Anak Krakatau forced widespread flight cancellations, though fresh eruptions have kept authorities on alert.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) said on Wednesday they attacked two U.S. vessels and eight oil tankers in the Persian Gulf, calling the strikes a response to a U.S. attack on five Iranian tankers.
The United Nations has called for an immediate ceasefire in Sudan, warning that escalating drone warfare and attacks on civilian infrastructure are deepening the country's already devastating humanitarian crisis.
Climate leaders in Baku are calling for a shift from climate commitments to concrete action as day three of Baku Climate Action Week focuses on implementation, cooperation and measurable results.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has dissolved parliament and called a snap election for 25 October, as he seeks to extend his political influence by running for prime minister.
Four people were killed, including a child, in Ukrainian strikes on the Russian port city of Novorossiysk overnight, according to the governor of the Krasnodar region. Ukraine's drone forces commander, Robert Brovdi, said Russian military ships were destroyed in the attacks.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment