Venezuela Earthquake Toll Rises to 4,118; PAHO Warns of Precarious Situation

The death toll from a double earthquake that struck Venezuela on June 24 has climbed to 4,118, according to government figures released on Friday, November 10. The number of injured remains at 16,740, with 17,907 individuals still displaced. The twin tremors, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude and occurring less than a minute apart, caused widespread destruction across the country. While the seismic intensity contributed significantly to the disaster, experts also point to the poor condition of buildings as a major factor in the high number of destroyed structures. The affected geological region's soil, composed of sediments that can amplify seismic vibrations, poses inherent challenges for constructing resilient buildings. Furthermore, government-built housing complexes and other structures erected under limited oversight may have exacerbated the tragedy. The Urbanismo Hugo Chávez complex in Catia La Mar, part of a housing program initiated under Hugo Chávez and continued by Nicolás Maduro, suffered extensive collapse. In Caraballeda, La Guaira state, residents were still awaiting news of relatives believed trapped under rubble as of July 9, 2026, more than two weeks after the initial quakes.