UN: More than 50,000 missing after Venezuela earthquake

More than 50,000 people remain missing following the devastating earthquake in Venezuela, Tom Fletcher, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs said, Report informs, citing Agence France-Presse (AFP).

"This is an extremely complex rescue operation. More than 50,000 people remain missing, more than 500 have died, and clearing the rubble is an enormous challenge," Fletcher said.

According to AFP, correspondents at the disaster site report widespread destruction. Buildings have been leveled across many areas, massive piles of debris remain, and families continue searching for loved ones who may still be trapped beneath the rubble.

AFP noted that earthquakes of similar magnitude have previously caused significantly higher death tolls. The 2010 Haiti earthquake claimed more than 200,000 lives, the 2005 Kashmir earthquake killed around 73,000 people, and the 2023 Türkiye-Syria earthquake resulted in nearly 53,500 deaths.

The earthquake struck Venezuela on the evening of June 24. Two powerful tremors, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude, occurred approximately 40 seconds apart, with epicenters located about 10 kilometers from each other in Yaracuy State. A total of 214 aftershocks have been recorded since the main quake.

According to the latest figures, 589 people have been confirmed dead, while nearly 3,000 others have been injured.