Venezuela quake death toll climbs to 1,450: Top official

Venezuelan National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez announced on Sunday that the death toll from twin earthquakes that struck the South American country has climbed to 1,450, with thousands injured and rescue operations continuing amid widespread destruction. Speaking in a televised address, Rodriguez stated that more than 3,150 people have sustained injuries and 12,721 have been displaced or otherwise affected by the disaster.

Rescue teams deployed

Rodriguez said that 774 buildings have collapsed across the affected regions, adding that search and rescue operations remain active throughout the disaster zones. The government has deployed more than 25,000 rescuers, military personnel, police officers, civil protection teams, and Red Cross workers to assist victims and locate survivors trapped beneath the rubble. The effort includes 2,624 international rescue workers collaborating alongside 137 search dogs and 49 specialized support vehicles.

Seismic details

According to the US Geological Survey, two earthquakes measuring magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5 struck Venezuela on Wednesday, striking just 39 seconds apart. The magnitude 7.5 quake hit 23 kilometers southeast of Yumare in Yaracuy state, while the magnitude 7.2 tremor occurred 23.9 kilometers northeast of San Felipe in the same region. Rodriguez had reported Saturday that 1,430 people were killed and 3,238 injured before Sunday's updated figures reflected the climbing toll.