Caracas: The death toll from the devastating earthquakes that hit Venezuela on June 24 has increased to 2,954, with 16,592 people reported injured. Rescue operations are actively continuing as the nation grapples with the aftermath of one of the worst seismic events in its history.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, Venezuelan authorities confirmed the updated casualty figures, with the Ministry of Information revealing that approximately 16,000 individuals have been left homeless. The ministry's statement highlighted the ongoing efforts of search and rescue teams, who have thus far saved 6,462 people from the disaster-stricken areas.

Jorge Rodriguez, president of the Venezuelan National Assembly, reported that medical teams have provided care for 22,445 individuals. He also mentioned the deployment of 30,000 local rescue officials and 3,281 international rescue personnel to support the relief operations. Despite the considerable efforts, search and rescue missions for survivors continue relentlessly.

The twin earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 on the Richter scale, resulted in catastrophic damage, particularly in the coastal region of La Guaira, north of Caracas. The tremors led to the collapse of 190 buildings, marking a significant loss of infrastructure and making it one of the most severe seismic disasters in Latin American history.

In the aftermath of the disaster, the United Nations reported that over 50,000 people remained missing. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) also estimated that the economic impact of the twin earthquakes amounted to approximately $6.7 billion in direct material damage. Families continue to endure the harrowing task of recovering the bodies of their loved ones from the debris, with some survivors still being found against the odds.