Venezuela Quake Death Toll Tops 4,000

The death toll from Venezuela’s devastating twin earthquakes has risen above 4,000, authorities announced on Friday, marking the deadliest seismic event in the nation in more than a century. The quakes, which struck the western region of the country on March 25 with magnitudes of 7.3 and 6.8, caused widespread collapse of homes, schools and infrastructure, prompting a massive emergency response that has been hampered by aftershocks and difficult terrain.

More than two weeks after the initial shock, families continue to sift through rubble in search of missing loved ones while rescue teams, supported by the military and international aid groups, work around the clock to locate survivors and retrieve bodies. Officials said the scale of destruction has strained local resources, prompting the government to request additional assistance and to establish temporary shelters for displaced residents. The ongoing efforts underscore the magnitude of the disaster and the challenges that remain in the recovery process.