Preliminary satellite data indicate that more than 58,000 buildings were likely damaged or destroyed after the powerful twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela last week, according to an assessment released by the US space agency NASA.
The back-to-back earthquakes, measuring magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5, were the strongest to hit the South American nation in more than a century. The disaster has claimed around 1,700 lives, while thousands of people remain missing.
Researchers Corey Scher and Jamon Van Den Hoek of Oregon State University estimated that approximately 58,870 buildings across the affected areas were likely damaged or destroyed. Their findings are based on satellite radar data collected on 25 June, a day after the earthquakes.
The researchers used high-resolution radar imagery captured by the European Space Agency’s Sentinel-1 satellite.
They described the findings as a preliminary rapid assessment, saying the analysis reflects sudden surface changes consistent with earthquake damage. They cautioned that the estimate should be treated as an indicator until verified through ground inspections.
On Monday, National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez said 855 buildings had been confirmed damaged, including 189 that had completely collapsed.
NASA said its satellites are providing critical support by capturing imagery and data to help emergency teams assess the scale of the destruction and guide ongoing response efforts.
