Caracas, July 15 (SANA) The death toll from the two powerful earthquakes that struck Venezuela on June 24 has risen to more than 4,700, while nearly 17,000 people have been injured, according to updated official figures.
Citing an official report published by National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez on Telegram, Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported that the confirmed death toll had reached at least 4,734, with 16,740 people injured. Most of those wounded have since been discharged from hospitals after receiving treatment.
The Venezuelan government said the earthquakes damaged more than 850 buildings, while 190 buildings and residential complexes collapsed completely.
Authorities have yet to release a final figure for the number of missing people. Estimates by the United Nations and other international organizations range from 10,000 to 50,000 people still unaccounted for since the disaster.
The earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude, struck the capital, Caracas, and the neighboring state of La Guaira just 39 seconds apart, causing widespread destruction and reducing entire high-rise residential complexes to rubble.
T.S /ABD
