NASA: Nearly 59,000 buildings damaged or destroyed in Venezuela quakes

The scale of devastation from Venezuela’s twin earthquakes continues to grow, with NASA reporting that approximately 59,000 buildings have been damaged or destroyed. The death toll has risen to 1,943, with 10,571 injured, according to Venezuelan authorities. NASA researchers analysed radar data from the European Space Agency’s Sentinel-1 satellite, comparing post‑quake images with 65 reference images from the past year to produce the estimate.

Casualties and damage

The Venezuelan government’s official report on Monday, presented by National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez, had previously stated that 855 buildings were damaged, of which 189 were destroyed. However, NASA’s satellite‑based analysis suggests the actual figure is significantly higher. The US Geological Survey reported that two earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 struck the country on June 24, 39 seconds apart, affecting Yaracuy state and surrounding regions.

Health risks and humanitarian needs

The World Health Organization has warned of potential disease outbreaks, as local health services are under severe strain and vaccination rates were already low before the quakes. The UN refugee agency has also warned of rising social tensions in affected areas due to restricted aid access. The UN Development Programme has estimated the direct physical damage cost at $6.7 billion.