The death toll from Venezuela’s devastating twin earthquakes surpassed 3,300 on Sunday as authorities began burying bodies that remained unidentified days after the disaster. The magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 earthquakes struck on June 24, severely impacting the La Guaira coastal area north of Caracas, toppling numerous buildings and leaving thousands of people missing.

The earthquakes, among the worst in Latin America in recent years, caused extensive destruction, with nearly 200 buildings collapsing—most concentrated in La Guaira. As rescue teams withdrew after weeks of searching for survivors, the focus shifted toward mourning the deceased and conducting burials for those whose remains were recovered but unidentified. In La Guaira’s La Esperanza cemetery, more than 150 unidentified bodies were interred in a designated area marked by simple white crosses bearing the date of June 24, 2026.

Local residents assisting with burials expressed deep sorrow. Eli Zavala, who helped dig graves, said the community was “overcome with grief,” emphasizing efforts to provide dignified burials for all victims. Excavators continued work to prepare additional graves amid the ongoing recovery process.

Official figures released Sunday reported 3,342 fatalities and 16,700 injuries. Since the initial quakes, Venezuela has experienced 995 aftershocks, sparking further concern among residents. The disaster has rendered over 17,000 people homeless, many of whom remain in shelters and temporary camps, with the full scale of those missing still uncertain. While the government has not disclosed an official number of missing persons, the United Nations estimates that as many as 50,000 people may remain unaccounted for.

Families continue searching for loved ones amid the rubble. In the Catia La Mar district, relatives maintain hope despite difficult circumstances. One woman, Zuly, described losing track of time as she awaited news of her son, whose belongings were found near the wreckage of his workplace. She remains nearby, determined to find him or at least gain closure.

The country’s ongoing economic crisis and political instability had already strained infrastructure and health services prior to the earthquakes. According to UN assessments, physical damage from the earthquakes is estimated at $6.7 billion, equivalent to about 6 percent of Venezuela’s gross domestic product. The Caracas international airport remains closed to commercial flights due to damage sustained during the quakes.

International aid efforts are underway. On Monday, a flight carrying more than 80 metric tons of quake relief supplies from China arrived in Venezuela. The shipment, provided by the Chinese government, includes tents, blankets, emergency water purification vehicles, solar lamps, mist sprayers, and power generators. China had earlier extended emergency humanitarian cash assistance to support Venezuela’s disaster response operations.