Nearly 6.8 Million at Risk as Earthquake Death Toll Surges Past 1,400 — UN
The United Nations has warned that nearly 6.8 million people could be affected by the devastating earthquakes that struck northern Venezuela, as the confirmed death toll continues to rise sharply with thousands still missing.
Latest reports indicate that fatalities have climbed to at least 1,430 people, with tens of thousands still unaccounted for, as rescue teams struggle to reach those trapped under collapsed buildings.
Earlier official figures had placed the toll at over 900 dead and more than 3,000 injured, but authorities say the numbers are increasing rapidly as search-and-rescue operations intensify.
Government and emergency officials also report that over 50,000 people are missing, while hundreds of thousands have been displaced, many forced to sleep outdoors amid fears of aftershocks and further building collapses.
The twin earthquakes, measuring approximately 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude, struck within seconds of each other, causing widespread destruction across Caracas and coastal regions such as La Guaira, where entire structures were flattened.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) warned that the disaster could affect nearly 6.8 million people due to damage to homes, hospitals, water systems, and critical infrastructure, especially in already vulnerable communities.
International assistance is mounting, with more than 1,600 foreign rescue workers deployed and additional aid flights arriving, while the United States and other countries have pledged emergency funding and technical support.
Despite these efforts, the response has been slowed by damaged infrastructure, limited equipment, and ongoing economic challenges, raising concerns about the country’s capacity to manage a disaster of this scale.
The unfolding crisis is now being described as one of the deadliest earthquakes in the region in decades, with fears that the final casualty figures could rise significantly as more victims are recovered from the rubble.
