EARTHQUAKE DEATH TOLL RISES TO 5,278

CARACAS, JULY 21 /SRNA/ - The death toll from the earthquake in Venezuela has risen to 5,278, Venezuelan National Assembly Speaker Jorge Rodríguez said.

Rodríguez added that 16,740 people were injured, while 6,462 people have been rescued.

According to the latest figures, 856 buildings have been damaged, including 190 that collapsed, leaving 17,907 people homeless.

Two earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 on the Richter scale struck on June 24 about, 40 seconds apart. The quakes were followed by 1,405 aftershocks.