More than 3,500 people have died following two major earthquakes that struck Venezuela on June 24, as officials and aid workers warn that crowded shelters could trigger a worsening public health emergency.

The official death toll has risen to 3,535, according to Venezuelan lawmaker Jorge Rodriguez. Authorities say 16,740 people were injured and 17,854 people lost their homes after the back-to-back earthquakes, which measured magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5.

The earthquakes struck seconds apart near Caracas and the coastal state of La Guaira, causing widespread destruction across the region. An estimated 60,000 buildings were damaged or destroyed.

More than 12,800 displaced residents are now staying in 80 temporary shelters across Caracas and La Guaira. Thousands more are believed to be sleeping outdoors or in overcrowded camps with limited access to clean water, sanitation, medical treatment, and basic supplies.

In La Guaira, recovery crews have begun burying victims as authorities continue to recover bodies from collapsed buildings. Reuters witnesses reported seeing trucks transporting coffins while workers used heavy machinery to dig burial trenches at La Esperanza Cemetery.

Health workers are increasingly concerned about the conditions facing survivors. Overcrowded shelters, untreated injuries, poor sanitation, and limited access to clean water could lead to outbreaks of diarrheal illness and other infectious diseases.

Doctors say Venezuela’s already strained healthcare system is struggling to handle the number of injured people, many of whom require continued treatment after being exposed to rubble, contaminated water, and unsafe living conditions.

Residents and aid groups have called for more portable toilets, clean water, medical supplies, and stronger government support. Critics say many communities have relied heavily on volunteers, humanitarian organizations, and local residents to search for survivors and distribute aid.

The disaster has become one of Venezuela’s deadliest natural emergencies in recent years, with recovery efforts expected to continue for weeks as officials work to identify victims, care for displaced families, and assess the full scale of the damage.