The death toll from the twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela earlier this week has climbed to 1,719, according to statements from parliamentary speaker Jorge Rodriguez on Monday.
Rodriguez, who is also the brother of interim president Delcy Rodriguez, confirmed that more than 5,000 people have been injured in the aftermath of the seismic events.
Approximately 800 buildings have been reported damaged or destroyed, complicating rescue efforts and raising concerns about further structural collapses.
The figures represent a sharp increase from previous estimates, which stood at 1,450 on Sunday and 1,430 on Friday, highlighting the ongoing challenges in assessing the full scope of the disaster.
Approximately 800 buildings have been reported damaged or destroyed, complicating rescue efforts and raising concerns about further structural collapses.
The sheer number of missing persons—estimated at over 50,000—suggests that the final death toll could rise significantly as search and rescue teams continue to comb through rubble in affected areas.
The devastation has left large parts of the country without essential services, including power, water, and communication networks.