A week following a major earthquake in Venezuela, discrepancies have emerged regarding the official casualty figures. On Wednesday, Venezuelan authorities reported that the death toll reached at least 2,295 people, representing an increase of about 300 fatalities from the previous day’s update, according to Telegrafi. However, the official count contrasts sharply with assessments provided by medical professionals on the ground.
Speaking to CNN, a forensic pathologist, who requested anonymity citing fears of reprisal, indicated that the government’s reported figures significantly underestimate the true scale of the tragedy. The pathologist suggested the official tally was substantially lower than the actual number of victims. The strain on local infrastructure was highlighted by the pathologist, who works at an improvised morgue in the port city of La Guaira, an area severely impacted by the earthquake.
She noted that this facility processes approximately 400 bodies daily, many of which are deemed beyond recovery. These conflicting reports underscore the challenges in accurately assessing the human cost of the disaster. While the official data provides a benchmark figure for the Venezuelan government, expert accounts suggest that the reality of the aftermath of the earthquake is far more extensive.
The discrepancy between the stated numbers and the observed capacity of local services raises questions about the comprehensive accounting of those lost in the disaster.
Topics: #venezuelan #about #earthquake
