The death toll from the devastating earthquakes in Venezuela has risen to 1,943, with 10,571 injured, according to National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.
Earlier, the UN reported 1,719 dead and about 5,000 injured. Venezuelan authorities warn that the death toll may rise. Rescue operations are hampered by ongoing aftershocks. About 500 aftershocks have been recorded since the initial quakes, including one of magnitude 5.2.
More than 2,000 rescuers from 27 countries are involved in search operations. The exact number of missing is not yet known, but authorities say it could be tens of thousands.
Preliminary data shows that about 2,500 buildings were destroyed or damaged, and about 12,000 residents were forced to leave their homes.
The UN estimated the economic damage from the earthquakes at $6.7 billion, equivalent to about 6% of Venezuela's GDP.
Despite nearly six days having passed since the tragedy, rescue operations continue. On the morning of July 1, rescuers from Jordan pulled a child named Cliber Morán alive from the rubble. He was the only survivor found on the sixth day after the earthquakes.
Earlier, Kursiv reported that two powerful quakes of magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 struck Venezuela. A state of emergency was declared.
It was also reported that support for Venezuela immediately after the earthquake was expressed by the US, Panama, Qatar, Cuba, Nicaragua, Turkey, Jordan, Colombia, Barbados, the UK, Brazil, and Mexico. They sent humanitarian aid and specialized search and rescue teams to help local services find people under the rubble.
President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev sent a telegram expressing condolences to Venezuelan President Delcy Rodriguez.