Venezuela earthquake death toll climbs to 2,295 as police arrested for looting and national mourning begins
The double earthquake that struck Venezuela on June 24 has killed 2,295 people, left around 50,000 missing, and prompted a national mourning period. Four police officers were arrested for looting amid the devastated zone.
Rising death toll
Authorities in Venezuela updated the official count of victims from the June 24 double earthquake to 2,295 people, with approximately 50,000 still missing, according to figures released on July 1. The seismic event hit the capital Caracas and the adjoining port city of La Guaira, wreaking devastation on residential buildings and infrastructure. Rescue teams have begun marking collapsed structures with a large "D," the international search-and-rescue code for "deceased," extinguishing hopes of finding additional survivors beneath the rubble.
National mourning
Interim President Delcy Rodriguez announced a seven-day national mourning period, effective from 18:00 on July 1, via her Telegram account.
The decision underscores the profound impact of a catastrophe that, in her words, has left Venezuela's soul "torn by the human losses."In tribute to the memory of the victims, I have decided to declare seven days of national mourning starting at 6 p.m. today.
Sequence of events
- Double earthquake strikes Caracas and the port city of La Guaira
- Death toll updated to 2,295; four police officers arrested for looting
- National mourning declared by interim president, effective immediately
Looting and arrests
The chaos following the earthquakes gave way to widespread theft and pillaging, with four police officers captured on video appropriating valuables from the rubble. Viral footage shared on social media shows agents clutching a small, crushed box of dollars and, in another clip, a woman tearing up what appears to be banknotes taken from the officers. The Ministry of Justice confirmed the arrests, the officers' immediate dismissal, and their transfer to the judicial system.
A subsequent video released by the ministry showed one officer handing over his weapon and uniform.A group of officials, ignoring their duties and taking advantage of rescue and humanitarian assistance operations, acted indecently by appropriating valuable goods found among the rubble.
US aid and oil money
The natural disaster has also reignited political friction over the role of the United States. Social media messages circulating after the quake pushed back against statements attributed to Donald Trump, noting that "Venezuelans are not dancing in the streets." Le Monde reports that questions are being raised about the delivery of US aid and about oil revenues held by the United States, though specific details remain sparse.
