Venezuela earthquake death toll rises to 2,645, thousands still missing

(CNA Caracas, July 3 - Combined Reports) Official figures released today show that the death toll from two devastating earthquakes in Venezuela has risen to 2,645, with more than 12,600 injured. Thousands are reportedly still missing.

The powerful earthquakes on June 24 caused dozens of apartment buildings to collapse, mostly in the coastal state of La Guaira, a heavily affected area north of the capital, Caracas.

The magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 earthquakes severely impacted La Guaira, with thousands of victims flocking to various temporary medical centers for assistance, overwhelming the local healthcare system. A McDonald's restaurant was converted into a temporary clinic, with four IV bags hanging from the ceiling.

Karlys Figueroa, a 33-year-old volunteer rescuer and surgeon, said the clinic in Caraballeda received dozens of people suffering from "hypertensive emergencies, anxiety attacks, and diarrhea." It has become a makeshift field hospital with triage, a pharmacy, storage areas, as well as psychological counseling and animal rescue spaces.

The counter that used to serve burgers now distributes donated corn tortillas and sandwiches; the ice cream area has been turned into a shelter for rescued animals. More than 30 doctors like Figueroa are caring for victims here.

Additionally, a bus station in Catia La Mar has also been transformed into a temporary medical center, having treated nearly 4,000 people. Injured individuals could initially only be sent to two hospitals, but these were overwhelmed within hours of one of the worst earthquakes in Latin America.

"The scene was terrifying, there were bodies in the streets, the morgue couldn't cope, and the bodies had to be left outside, starting to decompose... I felt that no matter what I did, it was never enough, there was a severe shortage of medical personnel and not enough external aid," recalled Maria Jose Pino, an obstetrician assisting at the bus station medical center.

More than 150 buildings in La Guaira were completely destroyed, and shelters are overcrowded. The United Nations stated that the risk of an epidemic is increasing. Dr. Antonio Olaizola said that recently they have treated many patients with diarrhea, dysentery, abdominal pain, and nausea and vomiting, indicating that the alarm for an outbreak of infectious diseases has sounded. (Compiled by: Ho Hung-ju) 1150704

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