The death toll from the two powerful earthquakes that struck Venezuela has risen to 3,535, authorities announced on Monday, while nearly 18,000 people remain homeless more than a week after the disaster devastated the capital and surrounding coastal areas.
Senior government official Jorge Rodríguez said the latest official figures show that 16,740 people have been injured, while 17,854 have been left without shelter following the June 24 earthquakes, which measured 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude and struck just seconds apart, according to Reuters.
The updated figures highlight the scale of the catastrophe in and around Caracas and La Guaira, the coastal region that suffered the heaviest damage, as criticism of the government’s response continues to grow.
Venezuela’s Vice Presidency for Social Affairs said that at least 12,800 people are currently staying in 80 emergency shelters established in Caracas and La Guaira.
