Venezuela's acting President Delcy Rodriguez on Thursday said the death toll from the powerful earthquakes that struck the country on June 24 has risen to 2,595, while more than 12,000 people have been injured. Authorities said 189 buildings have been destroyed, with tens of thousands of people still reported missing.
Two powerful earthquakes measuring magnitude 7.5 and 7.2 struck north of Caracas last week, followed by 782 aftershocks. Rodriguez said the frequency and intensity of the aftershocks have gradually decreased.
In response to the disaster, Rodriguez, who also heads the command centre overseeing temporary shelters, said 25 relief camps have been set up across the country, including 13 in La Guaira, eight in Caracas, two in Miranda, one in Carabobo and one in Yaracuy. She urged health workers, security personnel and firefighters to register on the Patria platform to support housing and relief operations, adding that authorities are rapidly equipping the camps and relocating affected residents.
Rodriguez also declared seven days of national mourning in memory of the victims.
"In honour of the memory of the victims, I have decided to decree National Mourning for seven (7) days," she said in a statement posted on social media, adding that Venezuela "stands with those suffering from this tragedy" and remains committed to supporting those affected.
As rescue and recovery operations continue, Venezuela's Transport Ministry confirmed that the Los Teques Metro has resumed operations after extensive safety inspections, making it the last major public transport system to restart services following the earthquakes.
The ministry said the railway connecting Caracas with the Valles del Tuy region in Miranda state, as well as the Valencia Metro, are also operating normally. However, authorities said the earthquakes caused extensive damage to road infrastructure in La Guaira and lesser damage in Caracas and other central regions.
International humanitarian assistance is also reaching the country. Under directives from King Abdullah II, Jordan, in cooperation with Qatar, dispatched a Qatari C-17 military transport aircraft carrying 26 tonnes of medical supplies, food, rescue equipment and essential aid to Caracas. The shipment also included equipment for the Jordan International Search and Rescue Team, which began operations in Venezuela earlier this week.
Jordanian authorities said a second Qatari aircraft carrying additional humanitarian, medical and food assistance is scheduled to depart for Venezuela on Friday as international relief efforts continue.
