Venezuela Earthquake Death Toll Rises to 6,509

The death toll from the twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela in late June has risen to 6,509, according to figures attributed to Venezuelan authorities. Anadolu Agency reported the figure as reconstruction advanced, and said nearly 226,700 people had received treatment, citing statements by National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez.

The first quake struck on June 24, 2026. The U.S. Geological Survey, which monitors earthquakes worldwide, rated the main shock at magnitude 7.5 and said it resulted from shallow strike-slip faulting, a type of movement in which blocks of rock slide sideways past each other, near a plate boundary. Reuters reported magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 quakes in the sequence. Reuters also reported that the USGS had estimated more than 10,000 deaths were possible.

The toll climbed steadily through the summer. By June 27, Reuters reported that deaths had topped 1,400 as rescue work continued, and that Venezuela had welcomed 1,600 foreign rescuers. On July 12, Reuters reported 4,490 deaths and an official injured count of 17,907. The Venezuelan government put the toll at 4,734 on July 23, according to Reuters.

On August 3, Reuters reported that the death toll had risen to 6,125, based on figures released by Rodríguez. The count has continued to rise since then, reaching 6,509 in the figures reported by Anadolu Agency and authorities.