Caracas, 02 July (H.S.): The scale of devastation caused by Venezuela's twin earthquakes continues to worsen with each passing day, as the number of casualties rises sharply. The United Nations has warned that the final death toll could reach as many as 10,000.

According to National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez, the death toll from the twin earthquakes has increased to 2,295. Speaking on state television, Rodríguez said that thousands of other people have also been injured.

The figures were reported by Sky News, citing Jorge Rodríguez and United Nations Resident Coordinator Gianluca Rampolla Del Tindaro. Following the twin earthquakes measuring magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5 that struck Venezuela on June 24, several countries, including India, have extended humanitarian assistance to the affected nation.

Rampolla acknowledged that the United Nations has ordered 10,000 body bags in anticipation of a possible rise in fatalities. According to a news website, more than 43,000 people are reported to be missing. Rodríguez also said that 15,866 people have been displaced and left homeless.

According to estimates by NASA, around 59,000 buildings have been destroyed or damaged. Rescue teams continue to search through the debris for survivors and victims trapped beneath collapsed structures.

A senior United States military official said that about 1,700 American personnel have been deployed across Venezuela, Puerto Rico, and Curaçao to assist with relief operations.

Humanitarian organisations have warned that Venezuela's already fragile healthcare system is under immense pressure. The World Food Programme has appealed for 50 million US dollars to provide emergency food assistance to around 500,000 people affected by the disaster.

Government officials said that approximately 782 aftershocks have been recorded since the twin earthquakes struck on June 24. Debris clearance operations are still incomplete across the worst-hit areas.

The disaster has also triggered a severe fuel shortage in Venezuela, despite the country possessing some of the world's largest proven oil reserves. The shortage has slowed relief and rescue operations, with emergency teams facing difficulties in operating heavy machinery due to a lack of fuel. As a result, many residents have been forced to remove debris manually in desperate efforts to locate their relatives and friends.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar