Venezuela's Earthquakes: Why the Death Toll Will Climb

Two powerful earthquakes struck north-central Venezuela on June 24, killing at least 32 people so far. The confirmed count will rise as rescue teams reach collapsed buildings in coastal towns where power and communications have broken down. Older concrete buildings and crowded coastal development made the region especially fragile. Casualty numbers typically spike in the 48 to 72 hours after strong earthquakes as teams access hardest-hit areas.