Satellite data analysis suggests that the scale of building destruction from the series of powerful earthquakes that struck Venezuela could reach approximately 58,000, far exceeding the government's official figures, The Guardian reported on June 30 (local time).

According to analysis released by NASA, researchers at Oregon State University examined high-resolution radar imagery captured by the European Space Agency's (ESA) Sentinel-1 satellite. They concluded that approximately 58,870 buildings may have been damaged or destroyed.

This figure is dozens of times higher than the official count provided by Jorge Rodriguez, President of the National Assembly of Venezuela, who stated that 855 buildings were affected, with 189 of them completely collapsed.

The Guardian noted that the satellite data analysis indicates the actual scale of the damage could be significantly greater than what the government has estimated.

The series of earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude, struck Venezuela on June 24. As of now, the officially confirmed death toll stands at 1,943, with 10,571 people injured.

With tens of thousands of people still missing, the death toll is expected to rise significantly.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)