Venezuela earthquakes death toll surpasses 5,000 as thousands remain injured

The country's interim government said in a statement that 5,069 people have died from the earthquakes, which took place June 24, and 16,740 people are injured.

By Misty Severi

Published: July 18, 2026 1:13pm

Venezuelan authorities said Friday that the death toll from two earthquakes that rocked the country last month has surpassed 5,000 and thousands remain injured.

The country's interim government said in a statement that 5,069 people have died from the earthquakes, which took place June 24, and 16,740 people are injured, according to the Associated Press.

The massive 7.2 and 7.5 earthquakes have also spawned more than 1,300 aftershocks as of Friday and 856 buildings have been damaged since the earthquakes, including 190 that have collapsed completely.

The United States has sent rescue teams to help Venezuela search and rescue missing residents, including 71 people and six K9 teams from Los Angeles County's Fire Department, Public Works and Health Department.

The State Department also activated a specialized Task Force and a Disaster Assistance Response Team to help with Venezuela and is coordinating with military assets already in the region to help with the search and rescue operations.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.