Venezuelan National Assembly Reports Over 6,000 Deaths from June Earthquakes
The National Assembly of Venezuela has updated the death toll from the twin earthquakes that struck the country in June, reporting that 6,125 people have died. The earthquakes, with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, caused significant destruction, particularly in the coastal state of La Guaira, where nearly 200 buildings collapsed. Rescue operations are ongoing, with approximately 17,000 people injured and around 1,400 individuals still missing. The government has not provided an official count of the missing, but estimates suggest the number could be as high as 10,000. In response to the disaster, Venezuelan lawmakers have passed a new law to facilitate property rentals, aiming to assist those displaced by the earthquakes. Interim leader Delcy Rodriguez announced plans to provide 4,000 homes to affected families by the end of the year, with a goal of exceeding 10,000 homes by 2027.