Death toll from Venezuela earthquake reaches 6,509

Mexico City (ANTARA) - The death toll from the earthquake that struck Venezuela in June has reached 6,509 people, according to the latest report released by the President of the Venezuelan National Assembly, Jorge Rodriguez.

A total of 226,696 earthquake survivors have received treatment in hospitals and 6,462 others have been successfully rescued, Rodriguez said on Telegram on Monday evening (24/8).

Based on the latest data, the authorities have inspected 60,785 residential buildings. Of these, 35,545 buildings have been declared habitable, 14,239 units are for limited use, and 11,001 units fall into the high-risk category.

During the recovery effort, more than 600,000 tonnes, equivalent to 28.61 per cent of the total construction waste, has been cleared from the earthquake-affected areas.

Venezuela’s Acting President, Delcy Rodriguez, said on Monday that the government has provided 335 new homes for families affected by the earthquake.

The government has also rebuilt 1,001 dwellings, with a target of more than 4,000 homes and apartments for affected families by the end of the year.

On 24 June, twin earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude struck Venezuela. La Guaira State and the capital Caracas were the worst-affected areas.

In response to the situation, Venezuela subsequently declared a state of emergency and launched a large-scale recovery programme.