The death toll among Portuguese nationals and people of Portuguese descent in the devastating twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela on 24 June has climbed to 96, according to updated figures from Portugal's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MNE) shared with the Lusa news agency. The victims include 17 children and 79 adults, reflecting the heavy impact on the Portuguese community concentrated in the coastal region of La Guaria.
The two seismic events, registering magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5, occurred just 39 seconds apart, leveling buildings across northern Venezuela. The official death count now stands at 3,342, with 16,740 injured. The worst-hit area remains La Guaria, a port city near Caracas that hosts a significant Portuguese diaspora community.
EU Rescue Operations Underway
Several European Union member states, including Portugal, have dispatched rescue teams to assist local authorities. Portuguese teams are operating from a base in La Guaria, focusing on collapsed residential and commercial structures. The EU's Copernicus satellite system has been activated to provide damage assessment imagery, while NASA, Microsoft, and EU satellites are using AI to speed up rescue efforts, as reported in a related story.
Venezuela sits on the boundary between the South American and Caribbean tectonic plates, which slide past each other and can lock, building up strain until a catastrophic rupture occurs. The twin quakes on 24 June were the result of such a rupture, causing widespread destruction in cities across the country's northern region.
The Portuguese community in Venezuela is one of the largest European diaspora groups in the country, with deep roots dating back to the mid-20th century. Many families run small businesses in retail, hospitality, and manufacturing. The MNE has set up a dedicated hotline for relatives and is coordinating with Venezuelan authorities to identify victims and repatriate remains.
In a separate development, Venezuela's interim leader has defended the government's earthquake response as the death toll surpassed 2,500, while an EU expert has warned of an imminent health crisis due to damaged water and sanitation infrastructure. Rescue teams also pulled a Venezuelan security guard from the rubble after eight days, a rare success story amid the devastation.
The tragedy has drawn attention to the broader challenges facing Venezuela, including political instability and economic hardship. For Portugal, the loss of 96 community members is a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities of its diaspora abroad. The Camões Prize-winning author Lídia Jorge, a prominent voice in Portuguese literature, has called for increased consular support for affected families.
As search and rescue operations continue, the focus is shifting to recovery and reconstruction. The EU has pledged €10 million in humanitarian aid, and member states are coordinating long-term support for the Venezuelan people.
