Venezuela earthquakes kill 920, leave 50,000 missing as UN estimates 6.76 million affected

Devastation in Caracas and La Guaira

The two tremors of magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 struck Venezuela on Wednesday 24 June, collapsing entire buildings in La Guaira, north of Caracas. The quakes were felt as far away as Colombia and Brazil, and more than 300 aftershocks have since been recorded. The country had not experienced a major earthquake since 1997, leaving it with little recent preparedness.

Human toll and missing

At least 920 people are confirmed dead, and more than 50,000 remain missing according to UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher. The death toll is expected to rise considerably as rescue operations continue. The International Organization for Migration estimates that up to 6.76 million people may have been affected, including two million in Caracas alone.

“Up to 6.76 million people may have been affected by the devastating earthquakes that struck Venezuela.”

Overwhelmed state and international response

Venezuela’s health system, already in poor condition, has been unable to cope. International rescue teams from at least 17 countries have now begun operations. The United States announced it would deploy 250 personnel, two warships, transport planes, helicopters, and $150 million in assistance.

A humanitarian catastrophe unfolding

Aid officials warn of a severe humanitarian impact as survivors remain trapped under rubble and basic services collapse. With the rainy season approaching and infrastructure badly damaged, the UN is scaling up its presence in coordination with the Venezuelan government.