Venezuela Earthquake Death Toll Climbs Past 3,800 Amid Ongoing Relief Efforts

KUALA LUMPUR, JULY 2026 – The death toll from the devastating earthquakes in Venezuela has climbed to more than 3,800, making it one of the country’s deadliest natural disasters in recent years. According to Venezuelan National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez, 3,811 people have been confirmed dead following the twin earthquakes that struck on June 24.

The two powerful earthquakes caused widespread destruction across affected areas, bringing down buildings, forcing residents to flee and trapping some survivors beneath rubble for days. Officials said 16,740 people were injured, while more than 26,000 people were affected either through displacement, home loss or major property damage.

The disaster has also drawn international attention after the United States confirmed that nine Americans were among those killed. State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott confirmed the deaths, while US officials said they were assisting Venezuelan authorities in handling and identifying bodies recovered from collapsed buildings.

John Barrett, Chargé d’Affaires of the American embassy in Caracas, said Venezuelan authorities had identified most of the bodies received so far, while remaining cases were still undergoing verification. Identification efforts reportedly include DNA, fingerprints and dental records, carried out in coordination with victims’ families.

The United States also deployed four urban search and rescue teams to Venezuela after the disaster. Those teams have now completed their mission and returned home after helping rescue six survivors from the rubble.

Despite the end of the search and rescue deployment, US disaster assistance remains active on the ground. The State Department Disaster Assistance Response Team is continuing to work with partners to provide food, clean water, medical care, shelter and other emergency support to affected communities.

Images from the affected areas show collapsed buildings and families waiting for humanitarian aid, reflecting the scale of destruction left behind by the earthquakes. In La Guaira, rescue teams were seen searching through rubble as residents dealt with the loss of homes, loved ones and basic services.

The rising death toll has intensified pressure on relief agencies and local authorities as they continue recovery efforts. With thousands injured and tens of thousands affected, Venezuela now faces a long rebuilding process involving emergency healthcare, shelter support, victim identification and infrastructure restoration.