The number of fatalities after the powerful earthquakes in Venezuela is expected to continue rising. According to the UN’s humanitarian coordinator in the country, Gianluca Rampolla Del Tindaro, the organization is now preparing for a much worse scenario than the figures confirmed so far.

Two strong earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude, shook Venezuela last week. Since then, a large number of aftershocks have been registered.

According to seismologist Björn Lund at Uppsala University, the earthquakes were estimated to be five to six times stronger than the quake that struck Haiti in 2010.

At a press conference, Gianluca Rampolla Del Tindaro stated that the UN has based its response on the need for up to 10,000 body bags in the ongoing rescue and disaster relief efforts.

– I really hope that the final figure will be lower, but we have to plan for the worst, according to Sky News.

The latest official figures, highlighted by CNN, show that over 1,700 people died after Wednesday’s earthquakes. At the same time, the UN emphasizes that rescue operations are still ongoing and that more victims are expected to be found in the affected areas.

The Venezuelan government is leading the extensive relief effort together with international actors. According to the UN, at least 2,500 buildings have been damaged in the disaster, the majority of which have collapsed.

The situation also risks worsening further. A tropical weather disturbance is expected to move in over parts of Venezuela in the coming hours and could bring heavy rains. This could create new problems for people forced to leave their homes and at the same time complicate rescue work.

READ MORE: Double earthquakes shook Venezuela – large number of deaths