The death toll from the twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela in June has risen to 6,438, according to the latest official figures released on Monday.
The new figure, announced by Parliament Speaker Jorge Rodriguez, is up from the 6,301 deaths reported the previous week.
Nearly two months after the disaster, rescue teams and relatives are still searching for people believed to be trapped under the rubble.
The 7.2- and 7.5-magnitude earthquakes struck off Venezuela’s coast on June 24, destroying at least 190 buildings and causing widespread damage.
Authorities said about 60,000 homes were affected, while approximately 24,000 homes were rendered uninhabitable.
Thousands of residents remain displaced and are living in temporary camps as rescue and recovery efforts continue.
Heavy rainfall has further worsened conditions for displaced families. In Caracas, rainfall over the weekend destroyed some tents housing earthquake victims.
The government of interim President Delcy Rodriguez has promised to provide permanent housing for people affected by the disaster.
However, only 335 homes have so far been made available out of the 4,000 homes the government promised to provide by the end of the year.
The continued search for missing residents, widespread displacement and difficult conditions in temporary camps have further deepened the humanitarian crisis caused by the earthquakes.
