Venezuela Earthquake Death Toll Rises to 1,450

The death toll from two powerful earthquakes in Venezuela has risen to at least 1,450, parliamentary speaker Jorge Rodríguez announced on Sunday.

The previous official toll, released on Saturday, stood at 1,430. The United Nations estimates that around 50,000 people remain missing. Rodríguez said 189 buildings were completely destroyed in the disaster.

He added that more than 3,150 people were injured, while 12,721 were displaced or otherwise affected. According to Rodríguez, 2,624 foreign rescue workers are taking part in the search and rescue effort.

The two earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude, struck Venezuela in the early hours of Thursday. The northern state of La Guaira and the coastal region north of Caracas suffered the heaviest damage.

(tasr)