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Tremors occurred in less than a minute, destroyed hundreds of buildings, and may have affected up to 6.8 million people.
Venezuela faces one of the largest natural tragedies recorded in the country in over a century.
Two consecutive earthquakes hit the northern Venezuelan region on the night of Wednesday, June 24.
The tremors reached magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5 and occurred in less than a minute apart.
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A preliminary estimate from the United Nations Development Programme, UNDP, points to physical damages of up to US$ 6.7 billion.
The amount is equivalent to approximately R$ 34.6 billion and represents about 6% of Venezuela’s Gross Domestic Product.
A report released by the government this Saturday, June 27, indicated that the death toll exceeded 1.4 thousand people.
Technical assessment estimates billion-dollar loss
The projection presented by the UNDP was developed with seismic models, satellite images, and population information.
The survey also considers losses of physical assets, including houses, buildings, and other structures affected by the earthquakes.
The broader economic impacts caused by the disruption of activities and services have not yet been included.
The total cost of the tragedy, therefore, may increase as new assessments are conducted in the affected areas.
Thousands of people were injured or left homeless
The President of the National Assembly, Jorge Rodríguez, reported that the earthquakes left more than 3 thousand injured.
About 3.1 thousand people were also left homeless after the destruction of houses and buildings.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs estimates that more than 50 thousand people are missing.
More than a hundred victims remained trapped under the rubble on Friday, June 26.
At least 383 buildings were destroyed or severely damaged, according to the report released by Venezuelan authorities.
Up to 6.8 million people may have been affected
The International Organization for Migration, linked to the UN, estimates that up to 6.8 million people may have been affected by the tremors.
About two million residents are in Caracas, one of the regions reached by the earthquakes.
The UN and the United States Geological Survey, the USGS, assess that the number of victims could be even higher.
The projection considers the intensity of the shocks, the shallow depth, and the high population density of the affected areas.
The USGS estimates, based on these factors, that the final death toll could exceed 10,000 people.
Shallow depth increased the strength of the tremors
The epicenters of the two earthquakes were separated by approximately five kilometers.
The central point of the most intense tremor was recorded near El Guayabo, 168 kilometers from Caracas.
The shallow depth of the earthquakes caused the energy to be felt more intensely on the surface.
Buildings collapsed in Caracas and in coastal cities near the Venezuelan capital.
La Guaira was among the most destroyed areas, while Caracas’ international airport had to be closed.
International teams reinforce the searches
More than 1,600 foreign rescuers arrived in Venezuela to support search and rescue operations.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that 17 flights transported specialized teams to the country.
Another 25 international flights were expected in the following 24 hours.
A Brazilian Air Force plane arrived on Friday with doctors, sniffer dogs, and specialized equipment.
Two other Brazilian planes with humanitarian aid were also expected to head to Venezuela.
Delcy Rodríguez reported that ten other countries would participate in international rescue efforts.
About 14,000 military and police officers were mobilized in La Guaira to reinforce security and assist victims.
Operations continue amidst the rubble
The teams are working to locate the missing, rescue survivors, and assist families who lost their homes.
The numbers presented by the authorities may still change as operations advance in the most devastated regions.
The total extent of the damage will also depend on more detailed assessments of houses, buildings, public services, and infrastructure.
In your opinion, should the priority be to expand the search for the missing or to concentrate resources on assisting homeless families? Leave your comment.
