Earthquake in Venezuela claims more than 1,700 lives

• Official figures report more than 1,700 dead and more than 5,000 injured after two strikes on June 24.
• Searches for people trapped under the rubble continue in La Guaira, and more than 600 aftershocks have already been recorded following the main tremors.
• Damage estimates vary: Oregon State University says 29% of buildings in the state were affected, while NASA puts the figure at nearly 59,000 structures.

In Venezuela, after two powerful earthquakes on June 24, the official death toll has exceeded 1,700, and the number of injured has risen to more than 5,000. Search-and-rescue operations are continuing in the northern state of La Guaira, where the authorities have declared a disaster zone.

According to the government, five days after the catastrophe, the search for survivors was still ongoing. A magnitude 4.6 aftershock also struck the area, and in total more than 600 aftershocks have been recorded since the first underground tremors.

Seismologists called the event a rare doublet, when two earthquakes of similar strength occur almost back to back. The larger one had a magnitude of 7.5 and struck 39 seconds after the previous tremor, which measured 7.2.

In La Guaira, according to Oregon State University, about 29% of buildings were damaged, and the destruction is greater along the coast. According to a preliminary NASA assessment, nearly 59,000 buildings may have been damaged, which is more than government estimates.

The UN believes the consequences of the earthquake could affect up to 6.8 million people. The United States said that 300 rescuers are working at the site, with two dozen C-17 military transport aircraft carrying cargo arriving each day, and the amount of financial aid has exceeded 300 million dollars.

Tags: Weather/Research