Venezuela: Over 8,000 Structures Inspected After Earthquakes

The College of Engineers of Venezuela (CIV) announced that more than 8,000 structures have been inspected following the earthquakes on June 24. The inspections aim to determine habitability, identify critical failures, and provide recommendations to communities and local authorities to mitigate vulnerabilities. Over 70% of the inspected buildings were classified as habitable, while approximately 25% were deemed either “habitable with caution” or “not habitable.”

Rafael Argotti, a member of the CIV's National Board of Directors, stated that about 6,000 engineers have provided voluntary and free services in the affected areas. Inspections are set to continue in densely populated areas and older structures within the capital. A total of 12,000 global inspections are estimated through the joint efforts of the CIV, municipalities, universities, the Fire Department, and Civil Protection, El Nacional reports.

Friday marked one month since the devastating double earthquakes primarily affected northern Venezuela, resulting in at least 5,546 deaths, 16,740 injuries, and 17,907 people displaced, according to the government. Additionally, 856 buildings were affected and 190 collapsed. The World Bank estimated the direct physical damages from the earthquakes at $19.6 billion, warning that a slow reconstruction could hinder the country's economic recovery over the next decade.