Death Toll Surpasses 1,700 in Venezuela; UN Prepares 10,000 Body Bags

The death toll from the recent series of powerful earthquakes in Venezuela has surpassed 1,700 as of June 29 (local time).

The international community, including the United Nations, is preparing 10,000 body bags in anticipation of a further rise in fatalities.

According to foreign media outlets including The New York Times (NYT), Jorge Rodriguez, President of the National Assembly of Venezuela, stated in a televised address that the officially confirmed death toll from the earthquakes that began on June 24 has risen to 1,719.

This marks an increase of 269 from the 1,450 deaths reported the previous day.

The number of injured has reached 5,034, with 15,866 people displaced.

Rodriguez explained that more than 600 aftershocks have occurred since the magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 earthquakes struck on June 24.

A magnitude 4.6 aftershock occurred this morning, causing residents in the capital, Caracas, and surrounding areas to feel strong tremors.

Rodriguez stated that 855 buildings have been damaged nationwide, a figure that continues to rise daily.

He added that 189 buildings have completely collapsed.

With the 72-hour window considered the golden time for rescuing survivors having passed, the Venezuelan government and the UN are preparing for worst-case scenarios.

Gianluca Rampolla del Tindaro, the UN Resident Coordinator in Venezuela, who is currently leading relief efforts on the ground, said during a virtual briefing for reporters at the UN headquarters in New York that they are securing 10,000 body bags in cooperation with the Venezuelan government to prepare for an increase in the death toll.

"This is based on a hypothetical scenario, which is very unfortunate," said Del Tindaro. "We sincerely hope that the actual number of victims will be lower."

He explained that 40 search and rescue teams, consisting of a total of approximately 2,000 personnel from 27 countries, have been deployed.

Del Tindaro expressed concern over further damage to displaced people who have already lost their homes, noting, "A tropical wave accompanied by heavy rain is expected to arrive within the next few hours."

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.