Venezuela earthquake death toll surpasses 3,500

The death toll from the devastating earthquake that struck Venezuela on June 24 has risen to 3,535, according to the country's National Assembly Speaker Jorge Rodriguez, citing official data.

According to the government's daily bulletin, 16,740 people have been injured and 17,854 left homeless. The earthquake completely destroyed 190 buildings and severely damaged 856 structures. So far, 25,016 people have been discharged from hospitals after treatment.

The bulletin also said 86,794 families have received emergency assistance, and 9,603 metric tonnes of food have been distributed in the affected areas.

Two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela on June 24, with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, occurring just 40 seconds apart. The epicentres were in the state of Yaraqui, located about 10 kilometres apart.

Source: TASS