local
Venezuela earthquake death toll rises as hospitals face collapse
By AP via Scripps News Group at KXXV (ABC 25) News
· July 2, 2026
· 6 min read
Doctors said Wednesday they feared the aftermath of Venezuelas devastating twin earthquakes could trigger a widening medical crisis marked by untreated injuries, infectious diseases and a healthcare system already on the brink.Thousands of displaced Venezuelans are sleeping in crowded shelters or...
Key takeaway The issue we foresee just around the corner is the infections that patients who have been exposed to the disaster for the longest time might bring, said Eugenio Cova, the head of the trauma unit at Hospital del Oeste Dr.
Why this matters in The Waco
The devastating earthquakes in Venezuela serve as a stark reminder of the importance of disaster preparedness and response in our own community. As Waco residents, we can draw parallels between the challenges faced by Venezuelan aid workers and our own local emergency response systems. The earthquakes' aftermath has exposed Venezuela's chronic shortage of doctors and inadequate healthcare infrastructure, a concern that resonates with our own experiences in McLennan County. With a significant portion of our population vulnerable to natural disasters, it is crucial that our local healthcare providers and emergency responders are equipped to handle large-scale crises. The US military's deployment of personnel to aid Venezuela also highlights the potential for regional and national resources to be mobilized in response to disasters, a consideration relevant to our own community's disaster planning efforts. As we watch the situation unfold in Venezuela, we must also reflect on our own preparedness and response capabilities.
About this story
Original reporting by KXXV (ABC 25) News . The Waco 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 KXXV (ABC 25) News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 2, 2026 ·
Source: KXXV (ABC 25) News ·
Reading time: 6 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Doctors said Wednesday they feared the aftermath of Venezuelas devastating twin earthquakes could trigger a widening medical crisis marked by untreated injuries, infectious diseases and a healthcare system already on the brink.Thousands of displaced Venezuelans are sleeping in crowded shelters or...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 2, 2026 by KXXV (ABC 25) News and curated for The Waco readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by AP via Scripps News Group at KXXV (ABC 25) News. To learn more about how The Waco selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Waco, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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