The death toll from the devastating twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela late last month has climbed past 3,500, according to a report by Al Jazeera on Tuesday, July 7.

Official figures provided by legislator Jorge Rodríguez on Monday confirm that 3,535 people have lost their lives, while at least 16,740 others have sustained injuries.

The disaster has left approximately 17,854 people homeless, with at least 12,800 currently sheltering in 80 makeshift centers across the worst-hit coastal regions of Caracas and La Guaira.

The dual tremors, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 on the Richter scale, struck the capital and surrounding areas on June 24, with only seconds separating the two impacts. Estimates suggest that approximately 60,000 buildings were either damaged or destroyed by the seismic activity.

As the nation grapples with the aftermath, health officials are warning of a looming public health crisis. Thousands of displaced citizens are currently living in overcrowded temporary shelters or in the open without access to clean water.

Many are suffering from untreated injuries and infectious diseases, stretching the country’s already strained healthcare system to its breaking point.

Dr. Eugenio Cova, head of the trauma unit at the José Gregorio Hernández Hospital in Caracas, expressed grave concerns regarding the deteriorating conditions.

"We have already endured a major psychological catastrophe. We are now facing complex challenges, and the risk of infection is making the situation increasingly difficult. Health concerns are growing steadily," he warned.

Reports from the La Guaira region indicate that cases of diarrhea and other communicable diseases are already emerging within the crowded shelters, further complicating relief efforts.