The death toll from the devastating twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela on June 24 has surpassed 4,000 people, according to government officials on Friday.
Venezuelan parliament chief Jorge Rodriguez stated that at least 4,118 individuals lost their lives, while 16,740 others suffered injuries.
Thousands of residents remain missing.
Disaster Details
The catastrophe began with a 7.2-magnitude shock, followed 39 seconds later by a massive 7.5-magnitude earthquake.
This marked the largest seismic event in Venezuela in more than a century.
The consecutive tremors demolished numerous high-rise apartment blocks and completely flattened entire districts within the coastal state of La Guaira.
Although official rescue teams have ceased operations to find survivors, family members continue searching through the debris to locate their loved ones.
A minor 3.0-magnitude earthquake in central Caracas on Friday triggered brief panic and prompted building evacuations.
International Response
The United Nations issued an urgent appeal on Wednesday for nearly $300 million to fund relief operations and assist 1.3 million people.
The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction estimated the direct physical damage to infrastructure and housing at approximately $37 billion.
Venezuela's interim president, Delcy Rodriguez, called for the release of frozen international assets to aid recovery efforts, including requesting King Charles III to release roughly 30 tons of Venezuelan gold held under UK sanctions.
