Venezuela earthquake death toll rises to 5,346 as DNA ID program launched
On 24 June 2026 a pair of earthquakes of magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5 struck northern Venezuela, devastating the coastal state of La Guaira and surrounding areas. The official casualty count has risen to 5,346 dead, with 16,740 injured and 17,907 people left homeless. Authorities report that 128,324 families have received assistance and that 23,122 individuals are sheltering in 107 temporary camps. Damage assessments list 856 buildings affected and 190 completely collapsed.
The National Service of Medicine and Forensic Sciences (Senamecf) has opened a voluntary DNA‑sampling program for relatives of victims, with collection points in La Guaira and the Bello Monte morgue. The goal, as stated by the Ministry of the Interior, is to “identify the victims through scientific genetic profile comparisons and bring certainty and peace to families.”
The interim government, led by Delcy Rodríguez, has begun housing relief, delivering apartments to about 200 families and pledging 4,000 new homes for the displaced. International bodies such as the UN estimate that up to 50,000 people may remain missing. Rescue operations involve more than 30,000 personnel, including 2,278 international rescuers, and continue to search for survivors amid the rubble. Municipal authorities have also clarified that owners retain title to land under collapsed structures, per Venezuelan civil code.
Overall, the disaster continues to strain health, shelter and reconstruction systems across the country.