local
Venezuela earthquakes death toll surpasses 5,000
By Associated Press at Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar)
· July 18, 2026
· 1 min read
CARACAS (AP) — The death toll from the two powerful earthquakes that shook Venezuela last month rose to 5,069 late on Friday, local authorities said. The interim government of President Delcy Rodriguez added in a statement that the number of injured remains unchanged at 16,740, as in the past 11 ...
Key takeaway The interim government of President Delcy Rodriguez added in a statement that the number of injured remains unchanged at 16,740, as in the past 11 days.
Why this matters in The Odessa
The devastating earthquakes in Venezuela serve as a stark contrast to the relatively stable seismic activity in the Odessa area. While the Permian Basin is not typically known for significant earthquake events, the region's oil and gas activities have led to increased seismic monitoring. Local residents can take note of the importance of disaster preparedness and emergency response planning, as demonstrated by the Venezuelan government's ongoing recovery efforts. The significant death toll and number of injured in Venezuela also highlight the need for robust infrastructure and building codes, which are crucial in mitigating the impact of natural disasters. As Odessa continues to grow and develop, it is crucial for city officials and residents to prioritize disaster preparedness and infrastructure resilience to ensure public safety in the face of potential disasters.
About this story
Original reporting by Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar) . The Odessa surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 18, 2026 ·
Source: Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar) ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? CARACAS (AP) — The death toll from the two powerful earthquakes that shook Venezuela last month rose to 5,069 late on Friday, local authorities said. The interim government of President Delcy Rodriguez added in a statement that the number of injured remains unchanged at 16,740, as in the past 11 ...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 18, 2026 by Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar) and curated for The Odessa readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Associated Press at Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar). To learn more about how The Odessa selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Odessa, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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