Venezuela quake death toll rises to 2,954, with 16,592 injured

CARACAS, July 4 (Xinhua) -- The death toll from the two earthquakes that struck Venezuela last week has risen to 2,954, and 16,592 others were injured, National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez said Saturday.

In a message on his Telegram channel, Rodriguez said 6,462 people had been rescued after the disaster hit the central states of Aragua, Miranda and La Guaira, as well as the western states of Carabobo, Yaracuy and Falcon.

The update said 16,209 people were without housing, while 856 buildings had been damaged and 190 structures had collapsed.

Authorities have also set up 80 temporary camps to assist displaced and affected people.

According to Saturday's update, 29,567 rescuers remain deployed to search for survivors, including 3,281 from abroad.

Since the magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 earthquakes struck on June 24, Venezuela has recorded 942 aftershocks, the statement said. Enditem