The death toll from the powerful twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela on 24 June has risen to 3,685, the government said on Tuesday, as emergency crews continued search and recovery operations in some of the country's worst-hit areas.

In its latest update, the government said 16,740 people had been injured in the disaster, upholding concerns over the scale of one of the deadliest natural catastrophes to hit the South American nation in recent history.

"Official toll as of 7 July: 3,685 dead, 16,740 injured," the government said in a statement, revising the previous death toll of 3,535 announced on Sunday.

The statement did not provide an updated figure for those still missing, making it difficult to assess how many people remain unaccounted for more than two weeks after the earthquakes struck.

Rescue teams, supported by military personnel, firefighters and volunteers, have continued to search through collapsed buildings and isolated communities, although hopes of finding additional survivors have faded as time passes.

The twin earthquakes, which struck on 24 June, caused widespread devastation across several regions of Venezuela, flattening residential buildings, damaging hospitals, schools and key infrastructure, and leaving thousands of families homeless.

Roads, bridges and power networks were also severely affected, complicating relief efforts and delaying the delivery of food, medical supplies and emergency shelter to remote communities.

Authorities have established temporary shelters for displaced residents while emergency medical teams continue to treat thousands of injured people. Humanitarian organisations have also stepped up relief operations, providing clean water, food, sanitation facilities and psychological support to survivors.

The disaster has placed enormous pressure on Venezuela's already strained healthcare system, with hospitals in affected areas struggling to cope with the large number of casualties. Medical personnel have been working around the clock, while authorities have appealed for additional medical supplies and equipment.

The government has declared a state of emergency in the worst-affected regions, enabling the rapid mobilisation of rescue personnel, security forces and emergency funding. Officials have pledged to accelerate reconstruction efforts, although the scale of the destruction is expected to require months, if not years, of rebuilding.

Engineers are continuing structural assessments of damaged buildings amid concerns that many structures remain unsafe because of aftershocks, which have continued to rattle affected areas since the initial earthquakes.

Thousands of residents remain reluctant to return to their homes, fearing further collapses as authorities inspect buildings and assess the extent of the damage.

Several countries and international humanitarian agencies have expressed solidarity with Venezuela and offered emergency assistance, including search-and-rescue teams, medical support and relief supplies.

Seismologists said the two powerful earthquakes struck within a short interval on 24 June, amplifying the destruction by weakening already damaged structures. Numerous aftershocks have followed, hampering rescue operations and forcing repeated evacuations.

Natural disasters of this magnitude are relatively uncommon in Venezuela, although parts of the country lie within a seismically active zone where the interaction of tectonic plates can generate powerful earthquakes.

Experts say the extent of the devastation was influenced not only by the strength of the earthquakes but also by the vulnerability of buildings and critical infrastructure in densely populated areas.

The revised death toll underscores the continuing humanitarian crisis facing the country as authorities work to identify victims, assist displaced families and restore essential services.

With thousands injured and many more left without homes or livelihoods, the focus is gradually shifting from emergency rescue efforts to long-term recovery and reconstruction. Officials have warned that the final death toll could change further as search teams complete operations and additional victims are identified.

The government has urged residents to remain vigilant, follow official safety instructions and avoid entering damaged buildings until inspections are completed, while emergency responders continue to work in affected communities.