Venezuela earthquake death toll climbs to 2,954; Portugal confirms 93 citizens among dead

The earthquakes

On 24 June, two powerful earthquakes of magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 struck Venezuela, with epicenters about 200 kilometers from Caracas. The tremors occurred less than a minute apart and were followed by hundreds of aftershocks. Authorities have recorded between 890 and 942 aftershocks in the week since the initial quakes. The United States Geological Survey confirmed the magnitudes and the proximity of the epicenters to the capital.

Casualties and damage

The official death toll has risen to 2,954, with 16,592 people injured, according to parliament president Jorge Rodríguez. Earlier official figures had reported at least 2,645 dead and 12,666 injured. Between 15,050 and 16,309 people were left homeless, and between 856 and 885 buildings were affected, with 189 to 190 collapsing completely. Authorities set up between 59 and 80 temporary camps, and 86,117 families have received assistance. Rescue teams have saved 6,462 people, with 3,281 international rescuers and 26,984 volunteers registered.

Portuguese victims

Portugal's foreign ministry confirmed that 93 Portuguese citizens died in the disaster, 80 of whom also held Venezuelan nationality. Among the dead are 17 children and 76 adults. Another 57 Portuguese nationals remain missing. The Portuguese rescue mission is based in Catia la Mar, La Guaira, an area with a large Portuguese community and one of the hardest hit. Portugal declared a national day of mourning for Sunday 5 July, and Secretary of State Emídio Sousa announced that two Portuguese air force planes are ready to depart with aid by Tuesday, possibly bringing back citizens on the return flight.

International response and missing persons

Several countries, including Portugal and other EU member states, have sent search and rescue teams. The United Nations estimates that around 50,000 people remain missing, while an opposition-led platform has registered 39,161 people to locate. Opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate María Corina Machado is promoting the site. Venezuelan authorities declared seven days of national mourning and have avoided releasing updated missing persons figures, though on 25 June they reported at least 157 missing.

Historical context

This double earthquake is the deadliest to hit Venezuela in the last century. The previous major seismic event near Caracas occurred in July 1967, 59 years earlier.