The official death toll from twin earthquakes in Venezuela has risen to 5,119, according to National Assembly head Jorge Rodríguez. The severe quakes struck the northern part of the country in early March.

The tremors, measured at magnitudes 6.3 and 6.1, caused widespread structural collapse in Caracas and surrounding provinces. Many buildings lacked seismic reinforcement, leading to catastrophic failures.

Authorities have mobilized emergency services, but the region’s limited medical resources struggle to cope with the influx of casualties. The government has called for international aid and a comprehensive review of building codes.

The disaster highlights the urgent need for stricter enforcement of safety regulations and better disaster preparedness plans in Venezuela, where infrastructure aging and political instability compound vulnerability to natural hazards.