Caracas, Venezuela: Venezuela earthquake damage may include nearly 58,870 buildings damaged or destroyed after last week’s twin quakes, according to a preliminary satellite assessment published by NASA.
The estimate was based on satellite radar data gathered on June 25, one day after magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 earthquakes struck Venezuela.
Researchers Corey Scher and Jamon Van Den Hoek of Oregon State University cited European Space Agency Sentinel-1 radar imagery for the rapid assessment.
The researchers said the figure reflected an abrupt surface change consistent with damage, but they cautioned that it had not been verified on the ground.
About 1,700 people were killed, and thousands remained missing after the quakes, the strongest to hit Venezuela in more than a century.
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National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez reported Monday that 855 buildings had been damaged, including 189 that had collapsed.
NASA said its satellites were providing imagery and data to help teams on the ground assess impacts and guide response efforts.
